Mexico: America thrashes in 1st win for new coach

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Colombian Roger Martinez, Chile's Diego Valdes and Alejandro Zendejas scored goals in the first 20 minutes of the match on Sunday and America headed for their second win of the Clausura tournament by beating Toluca 3-0.

Martinez opened the score in seven minutes, Valdes followed him with a free kick at 15 and Zendejas scored a goal at 18 for the Eagles, who had not won since the fifth date, when they beat Santos.

This is the first triumph of the interim coach, Argentine Fernando Ortiz, who replaced his compatriot Santiago Solari, who was dismissed after a 1-1 draw at home against Querétaro.

“Tano” Ortiz, a former blue-cream player, worked as coach of the Aguilas U20 and will remain on the bench until the end of the tournament.

Valdés and Zendejas are two players who arrived on the team in the winter market and who watched a few minutes with Solari.

With the result, America accumulates 10 points with which it moves away from the bottom of the standings and places 15th when there are four games left by the 11th date.

Toluca lost for the third time in its last four matches and remains with 13 points, in ninth place.

America came forward when Martinez received a left cross and deflected the ball with his right leg to overcome goalkeeper Guadalupe Gutierrez. The Colombian seemed to be ahead of the game, but the VAR considered it valid despite the fact that the referee Oscar Mejia did not review it on screen.

The Eagles extended their lead in a free kick by Valdes, who converted with Gutierrez's left corner shot.

America expanded his lead shortly after, when Henry Martín sent a pass inside the box for Zendejas, who took advantage of the bad visiting mark to convert with a header to the left post.