Club América Makes History with Third Straight Liga MX Title

On Sunday, December 15, 2024, Club América etched its name into Mexican football lore with a 1-1 draw against CF Monterrey at Estadio BBVA Bancomer in Guadalupe, Nuevo León — a result that sealed a 3-2 aggregate win and crowned them champions of the 2024 Apertura. It wasn’t just another title. It was the first time in Liga MX’s short-format era — since 1996 — that any club had won three straight championships. The Aguilas now stand alone with 16 league titles, pulling away from Chivas de Guadalajara’s long-standing record of 12. And they did it the hard way: with grit, a late goal that nearly unraveled everything, and a captain forced off injured before halftime.

A Historic Three-Peat, Sealed in the Final Minutes

The path to history wasn’t smooth. Three days earlier, América had taken a 2-1 lead into the second leg at Estadio Azteca, but fans knew Monterrey would come roaring back. And they did. The second leg began with tension thick enough to cut. In the 18th minute, América captain Henry Martin appeared to put the game away with a header — only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. The crowd gasped. The momentum shifted. Then, in the 24th minute, Richard Sánchez unleashed a thunderous 30-yard strike that flew past Monterrey’s keeper like a missile. The stadium erupted. 1-0 on the night. 3-1 on aggregate. The dream was alive.

Defensive Masterclass Under Pressure

But football doesn’t reward dreams — it demands resilience. In the 42nd minute, Martin crumpled after a challenge and had to be carried off, his tournament over. His absence left a void. Enter André Jardine, América’s Brazilian head coach, who had guided Brazil’s U-23 team to Olympic gold in 2020. He didn’t panic. He switched to a 5-3-2, packing the midfield and asking his defenders to become walls. Goalkeeper Luis Malagón was sublime, turning away every dangerous chance in the first half. Meanwhile, Monterrey’s coach Martin Demichelis, the former Bayern Munich center-back, watched helplessly as his side struggled to find rhythm. Even when they did, Malagón was there.

Monterrey’s Last Gasp — Too Little, Too Late

The second half was a siege. Monterrey pushed forward. They had 68% possession. They fired 17 shots — seven on target. But América’s defense held. Then, in the 85th minute, substitute Johan Rojas buried a low shot past Malagón. The away fans roared. The aggregate was now 3-2. One more goal and it was over. Two minutes later, a Monterrey strike rattled the crossbar. The ball bounced out. Silence fell. The final whistle came after six minutes of stoppage time. No more goals. No more chances. América had done it.

Why This Matters Beyond the Trophy

Liga MX’s short-format system — two tournaments per year, Apertura and Clausura — was designed to keep competition alive. But it also made three-peats nearly impossible. Teams rotate, injuries pile up, and the pressure of back-to-back finals wears on players. No one had ever done it. Not Chivas. Not Tigres. Not even the legendary 1980s América side led by Hugo Sánchez. This team, coached by Jardine and led by Sánchez’s magic and Malagón’s calm, rewrote the rules.

The numbers tell the story: América finished the Apertura 2024 regular season with 8 wins, 3 draws, and 6 losses — fifth place. Monterrey, with 9 wins, 4 draws, and 4 losses, was fourth. Neither team was dominant in the standings. But in the playoffs? They were unstoppable. América won all four knockout rounds. Monterrey won three. The difference? Experience. Pressure handling. A belief that, even when trailing, they could hold their nerve.

What’s Next for América and Liga MX?

Now, the challenge shifts to the 2025 Clausura. Can they go four in a row? No team has ever done it. Not even in Europe’s top leagues. But América’s squad is young — Sánchez is just 25, Malagón 28. Jardine’s tactical flexibility is becoming legendary. And the fans? They’re already chanting, “¡Cuatro! ¡Cuatro!”

For Liga MX, this is a win. The league has struggled to gain global attention compared to Europe or even MLS. But a historic three-peat? That’s a story the world can’t ignore. ESPN’s post-match analysis called it “the most significant achievement in Mexican club football since the 1990s.” And they’re right.

Behind the Numbers: América’s Legacy

Founded in 1916, Club América plays in the iconic Estadio Azteca, which holds 87,523 fans — the largest stadium in Mexico. Their rivalry with Monterrey, based at the 53,500-capacity Estadio BBVA Bancomer, is one of the fiercest in North America. This final was their seventh meeting in a final since 2019. América has now won five of them.

The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has no plans to change the format. That means this record stands — for now. But the question lingers: Is four possible? And if so, who can stop them?