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Chivas holds off Toronto FC on penalties to extend Mexico's CCL dominance

Hector Vivas / Getty Images Sport / Getty

For the 10th straight season, a Mexican club captured the CONCACAF Champions League trophy.

Chivas de Guadalajara overcame Toronto FC 4-2 on penalties in Wednesday's second leg in Mexico, cementing Chivas as the sixth different Mexican side to win the tournament since it was rebranded ahead of the 2008-09 season.

The win was secured when Michael Bradley, Toronto FC's captain, skied his penalty over Rodolfo Cota's goal, immediately handing Chivas the trophy.

After creating a 2-1 lead on aggregate following their first-leg win in Toronto, Chivas looked to be in for smooth sailing when Orbelin Pineda opened the scoring in the 19th minute on a delectable through-ball from Rodolfo Pizarro. Toronto FC responded just six minutes later, however, when Jozy Altidore tapped home Nicolas Hasler's cross in the six-yard box to hand Chivas its first conceded goal at home throughout the entire tournament. Sebastian Giovinco then erased Chivas' away-goal advantage with a smooth finish just before the half, putting the pressure on the hosts.

Playing in its first Champions League final, Toronto nearly stole it in the end; Giovinco's cross from the left found Marco Delgado all alone in space in Chivas' area, though the 22-year-old midfielder couldn't keep his attempt in added time under the bar.

Chivas' victory keeps Mexico a perfect 10-for-10 under the current format of the Champions League. The win also guarantees Matias Ameyda's men a berth in the 2018 Club World Cup, scheduled to take place in December in the United Arab Emirates.

Champions League winners under current format:

Season Winners Runners-up
2008-09 Atlante Cruz Azul
2009-10 Pachuca Cruz Azul
2010-11 Monterrey Real Salt Lake
2011-12 Monterrey Santos Laguna
2012-13 Monterrey Santos Laguna
2013-14 Cruz Azul Toluca
2014-15 America Montreal Impact
2015-16 America Tigres
2016-17 Pachuca Tigres
2017-18 Chivas Toronto FC

In what will come as little consolation for Toronto or Giovinco, the Italian forward was named the winner of the Golden Ball award as the best overall player in the tournament.

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