Santos Laguna defeats America 4-1 in the first leg of the Clausura 2018 Mexican soccer semifinals

Argentinean Julio Furch scored a brace to lead Santos Laguna to a 4-1 victory over America in the first leg of the Clausura 2018 Mexican soccer semifinals.

Furch (38' and 54'), Paraguayan Osvaldo Martinez (15'), and Colombian Edwuin Cetre Angulo (79') scored for Santos under the guidance of Uruguayan coach Dante Siboldi, while Paraguayan Cecilio Dominguez (32') scored the only goal for America.

America, coming off a 6-2 victory over Pumas UNAM in the quarterfinals, started aggressively and had a dangerous chance in the 4th minute with Paraguayan Bruno Valdez, whose shot went wide.

Santos Laguna gradually found their footing. In the 11th minute, Cape Verdean Djaniny Tavares, the top scorer, freed himself from his marker in the box and took a right-footed shot, but Argentinian goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin made the save.

Santos continued to push forward. In the 14th minute, Furch received a pass from Tavares, but his shot went over the crossbar. A minute later, Santos took the lead from a throw-in. Furch played the ball to Tavares, who then assisted Martinez, scoring a powerful strike from outside the box.