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Saldivar penalty save gives Pumas draw over América in Semifinal First Leg

Alfredo Saldivar denied Club América a crucial lead over Pumas UNAM in their Liguilla Semifinal showdown, saving a second half penalty as Águilas and Universitarios finished 1-1 on Thursday.

The showdown between Mexico City rivals was billed as the highlight of the Semifinals stage, with both teams facing off in a Liguilla for a sixth time since 1996.

América looked the most menacing in the opening stages, with a shot from Oribe Peralta coming just inches off of Saldivar’s goal.

After giving Pumas’s defense a warning moments earlier, 18-year-old Diego Lainez opened the scoring for Las Águilas.