After recording a somewhat fortunate 2-1 victory in the first leg of the 2018 Liga MX Clausura Final, there was a sense that Santos Laguna could be walking into a bear trap at La Bombonera on Sunday night.
Over 31,000 were on hand to support los Diablos Rojos, but the home crowd couldn't have been happy with the start they witnessed.
#VamosConTodo #TOLvsSAN pic.twitter.com/DThqBp6ay3
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) May 21, 2018
In the 10th minute, a brilliant run from Santos' Carlos Izquierdoz ended with the ball at the feet of Julio Furch. The Argentine turned and curled a composed finish beyond Alfredo Talavera, giving Santos a commanding 3-1 aggregate lead.
¡GOOOOL! EL SANTO LE ESTÁ PEGANDO AL DIABLO@julitofurch abre la cuenta en la vuelta con su gol número 51 en el fútbol mexicano y ¡VAYA GOL! @TolucaFC 0 (1) vs (3) 1 @ClubSantos #VamosConTodo #TOLvsSAN pic.twitter.com/N2HeVw3Q4t
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) May 21, 2018
Toluca went in search of a way back into the tie, but Jonathan Orozco wasn't having it. The Santos keeper made a number of great saves.
¡ATAJADÓN! @jona_orozco detiene un misil de @rubenssambueza y se salva @ClubSantos ahora del empate. #VamosConTodo #TOLvsSAN pic.twitter.com/lA0kdLGQQS
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) May 21, 2018
¡OTRA VEZ ATAJADÓN! (45') | @jona_orozco se viste de héroe y @ClubSantos sigue ganando esta Gran Final #VamosConTodo #TOLvsSAN pic.twitter.com/Ko0M3On5cq
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) May 21, 2018
Toluca’s opening goal on the night didn’t arrive until the 82nd minute. It was their 19th attempted shot of the game, but Gabriel Hauche finally made the breakthrough.
¡GOOOOOOOOL! Ahora sí Hauche enciende el Infierno @rubenssambueza la centra, la peina Toño Ríos y Gabriel empata el partido. #VamosConTodo #TOLvsSAN pic.twitter.com/AE4ERh74dp
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) May 21, 2018
Toluca couldn’t generate another opportunity of note, and Santos won its second Clausura title in four years.
Este es el trofeo que levantará @ClubSantos que lo consagra como campeón del Clausura 2018: https://t.co/dVH7SMJVC8 #VamosConTodo pic.twitter.com/SrseQw4gSy— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) May 21, 2018
USMNT defender Jorge Villafana entered the match in the 55th minute for Santos. He's now in a select class of players to have won both the MLS Cup (with Portland in 2015) and Liga MX.