CONCACAF Champions Cup final and Copa Libertadores action

By: Chris | April 25th, 2007

Two games of immense importance will take place in the heart of Mexico tonight, with one starting at 8:45 pm EST and the other at 9:35 pm EST.

CONCACAF Champions Cup Final - 2nd leg - Pachuca v. Chivas - Estadio Hidalgo - 9:35 pm EST - Fox Soccer Channel & Fox Sports en Español (live)

The most important will take place in Pachuca as the Tuzos will be looking for their 2nd international title in a little over 5 months. The reigning Copa Sudamericana champions will be looking to book a flight to Japan for the Club World Cup in December, while Chivas will be looking to do the same.

If Pachuca does win, quite a conundrum will be created, as they have already qualified for this year’s Copa Sudamericana as the defending champions. A long run into the knockout stages of that tournament would coincide with the Club World Cup.

Chivas, on the other hand, would also head to the Copa Sudamericana if they lose. Not a bad consolation prize for Jorge Vergara’s crew.

The first leg, held a week ago in Guadalajara, was a vibrante 2-2 tie, although Pachuca should hold a 3-2 edge in the tie, if not for a linesman’s bad call at the end of the game to deny the Tuzos the winning goal.

Prediction: Pachuca 3-2 Chivas Guadalajara, Pachuca wins 5-4 on aggregate

A difficult match to predict, as these teams have easily been the best in the Clausura and are the two favorites to win the domestic league, but I’ll give Pachuca the edge because of the home field advantage and the fact that they have experience in big finals.

Four games highlight tonight’s Copa Libertadores action, with one game involving a Mexican League team playing for their place in the Round of 16.

Copa Libertadores - Group Stage - Necaxa v. Alianza Lima (Peru) - Estadio Victoria - 8:45 pm EST - Fox Sports en Español (tape delay at 11:30 pm EST)

The Hidrorayos play for the classification tonight, which would make for a great debut for them as they would join fellow Mexican team América in the Round of 16, with Toluca still to play their last game on Thursday.

No matter what, a win for Necaxa tonight will send them through. A loss will eliminate them and with a draw, they will need a Sao Paulo victory over Chile’s Audax Italiano by either a 2-0 margin or a three-goal margin if Audax scores at least one goal.

Prediction: Necaxa 3-1 Alianza Lima

Jose Luis Trejo is a master in games like this. Necaxa knows what they’re playing for, and Alianza Lima is already eliminated, managing an embarrassing 5 losses in 5 games thus far in the group stage. I’m sure a sellout crowd will be awaiting the team, as this is easily the biggest game for the team since their move from Mexico City to Aguascalientes a few years ago.

Me? I’m just happy I can watch one of the games after I get off work around 11. It should be another great night for some fútbol, so order some pizza and sit in front of the TV tonight!