In the vast bowl of Mexico City’s Azteca, where an América–Guadalajara meeting carries the weight of far more than three points, Miguel Borja supplied the moment that changed Saturday’s clásico. The Colombian forward struck an acrobatic bicycle kick before adding another goal three minutes later as América recovered from two down to draw 2-2 with Guadalajara in the ninth round of the Apertura.
Borja, 33, arrived at América in August and has quickly brought a well-travelled South American instinct to one of Mexican football’s defining fixtures. His first goal, scored in the 26th minute, was the kind that will travel well beyond the capital: Brian Rodríguez sent a cross in from the right and Borja met it with an overhead finish that began América’s comeback and may place the strike among the early contenders for the Puskás Award.
The home side had entered the interval 2-0 behind. Bryan González put Guadalajara ahead, before Miguel Vázquez’s own goal gave the visitors a second. América needed a response not only for the occasion, but also for the Apertura table, with the two clubs arriving as direct rivals near the summit.
Borja’s spectacular effort brought the deficit down, and he completed his personal rescue act in the 29th minute. Henry Martín worked an opening inside the penalty area and found the Colombian, who finished to ensure América did not leave its own stadium empty-handed.
A clásico with consequences beyond the night
The contest joins Mexico’s two largest cities, Mexico City and Guadalajara, and its sporting significance was reflected in the standings. Guadalajara remain second on 18 points, one behind leaders Toluca, while América sit immediately below them in third with 17.
For Borja, the double continues a career that has crossed much of the footballing map. América signed him from Al-Wasl after a seven-month spell in the United Arab Emirates. Before that move, he had played in Brazil for Palmeiras and, on loan late in his Palmeiras contract, Grêmio between 2017 and 2021.
His route to the Azteca has also included Deportivo Cali, Cúcuta, Inter Palmira, Internacional de Bogotá, Livorno in Italy, Independiente Santa Fe, Olimpo in Argentina, Atlético Nacional, Junior FC and River Plate. Yet on this Saturday in Mexico City, it was not the length of that journey that stood out, but one clean, airborne connection in a clásico that refused to settle quietly.
