Twenty-four hours after being held by Santos of Brazil to a 0-0 tie in the Libertadores, Club America returned to Azteca Stadium, where it beat Chivas, 1-0, in the first leg of their semifinal series in Mexico's Torneo Clausura.

Chicago Fire signee Cuauhtemoc Blanco set up Paraguayan Salvador Cabanas for the game's only goal in the 62nd minute.

Regular-season leader Pachuca looked set to return to the Clausura final with a 3-1 win at Cruz Azul on Wednesday night. Cristian Gimenez scored twice for the Tuzos.

TORNEO CLAUSURA
Semifinals, First Leg
May 16
Cruz Azul 1 (Borgetti pen. 45) Pachuca 3 (Caballero 21, Gimenez pen. 35, 62).
May 17
Club America 1 (Cabanas 62) Guadalajara 0.
Semifinals, Second Leg
May 20
Guadalajara vs. Club America (Univision, live, 7 pm ET)
Pachuca vs. Cruz Azul (Azteca America, live, 9 pm ET)