America hit back from three down to reach Mexican semis

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MEXICO CITY, Nov 27 (Reuters) - America came from three goals behind to draw 3-3 at home to Atlas and reach the Mexican championship semi-finals at the weekend. Toluca, Guadalajara and defending champions Pachuca joined them in the last four of the Apertura championship, the first of the two tournaments played in the 2006-07 season. Atlas, beaten 3-1 at home in the first leg of the quarter-final tie, raced to a 3-0 lead in 57 minutes at the Azteca stadium through Andres Guardado, Daniel Osorno and Manuel Perez. But a double substitution by America coach Luis Fernando Tena, who brought on Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Nelson Cuevas, swung the game as the Eagles scored three times in 10 minutes. Blanco, the volatile Mexico forward who controversially missed out on the World Cup, pulled one back in the 71st minute with a long-range shot. Three minutes later, Paraguay forward Cuevas set up the second for his compatriot Salvador Cabanas. Blanco was involved again as he provided the third for Jose Antonio Castro in the 81st minute as America went through 6-4 on aggregate. America will meet their arch-rivals Guadalajara in the semi-finals after the Chivas drew 2-2 away to Cruz Azul for a 4-2 aggregate win. Midfielder Ramon Morales scored both goals for Guadalajara, the only team in the championship which do not field foreign players. Toluca beat Monterrey 2-1 with first-half goals from Uruguayan Vicente Sanchez and Argentine Bruno Marioni after holding out for a goalless draw in the first leg. Monterrey coach Miguel Herrera, who has been at the club for three years, announced his resignation after the game. A second-half goal by Argentine striker Gabriel Caballero gave defending champions and Copa Sudamericana finalists Pachuca a 1-0 win away to UNAM and a 2-1 aggregate win.