Monterrey tops America in dramatic Liga MX Femenil final

After nearly losing the tie, Rayadas took home their third title in dramatic fashion

Club América was just seconds away from a Liga MX Femenil title on Monday night, but Monterrey sent the game to extra time with a late penalty and eventually won the title in a penalty shootout.

It was a dramatic ending to the season at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, as América took the lead early in the final second leg.

Missouri native Sarah Luebbert gave América a 1-0 lead on the night within the first 10 minutes, sneaking a shot past Rayadas goalkeeper Pamela Tajonar.

Luebbert’s goal handed the visitors a 2-0 advantage on aggregate after they won 1-0 in the home leg on Friday night.

But Monterrey would strike back on 25 minutes as Jermaine Seoposenwe took the ball down well inside the box, turned and fired home to level the match 1-1.

The game would stay level until Monterrey was awarded a penalty kick in the game’s dying moments.

Rayadas captain Rebeca Bernal stepped up, knowing a conversion would send the tie into extra time and a miss would give América the title.

Bernal kept her nerve, scoring in dramatic fashion to keep the final alive.

In the penalty shootout, Tajonar made two saves to ensure Monterrey won its third Liga MX title.

After the game, Bernal spoke about her last-second penalty to level the tie.

“It wasn’t easy [taking the last minute penalty], I couldn’t live the last 15 minutes. In the end I think that the security that I transmit to the team is a firm step that I could take, I took my time and had great confidence,” Bernal said in quotes published on ESPN Mexico.

“I knew that they trusted me, that people trusted me, I took responsibility and today we are celebrating.”

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