Copa Sudamericana: Arsenal wins over America

Mexico City:

Alejandro Gomez scored twice in two minutes as Arsenal from Argentina came from behind to beat Mexico's America 3-2 on Friday night in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final.

Gomez scored in the 53rd and 55th minute and Anibal Matellan added a goal in the 31st for Arsenal, a small team from a province south of Buenos Aires, that will need a tie next Wednesday to secure the first international title in their history.

"It was complicated, we started without rhythm and they scored right away, but Anibal scored and we survived because they were attacking hard," Gomez said. "They're a great opponent, and we still have 90 minutes to play. We hope that the Cup can stay in Argentina."

Paraguayan Salvador Cabanas and Alejandro Arguello scored in the 5th and 52nd minutes respectively for the Eagles, which is looking to keep the Cup in Mexico.

Pachuca won the Cup last year.

For Arsenal, it was the fifth victory on the road in this tournament. They won 3-0 over San Lorenzo, 3-2 over Brazil's Goias, 3-1 over Chivas and in the semifinals beat River Plate 4-2 in penalty kicks.

"We're a humble team and we know we are not great but with sacrifice we can be a tough team and on the field we're 11 men against 11 men and we know nothing is impossible," Gomez said.

The Eagles and Arsenal will play the second and final leg of the tournament on Wednesday at Racing stadium in Avellaneda, Argentina.

Arsenal's stadium in the city of Sarandi, near Buenos Airies, doesn't fit 40,000 fans, the minimum required by the South American Football Confederation.