An own goal from Duilio Davino gave Santos Laguna a 3-2 home win over Monterrey in the first leg of the Mexican league playoff final on Thursday.
Davino turned into his own net in the 86th minute after Monterrey had twice come from behind to level the scores.
Jorge Estrada opened for Santos in the 23rd minute, before Humberto Suazo's equalizer in the 38th. Darwin Quintero gave Santos the lead again four minutes later, but Neri Cardozo evened for a second time in the 55th.
The return leg will be played in Monterrey on Sunday.
Both sides are looking for their fourth national title. Monterrey's most recent success was in the Apertura 2009 season, while Santos was last crowned champion in the Clausura 2008 tournament.
Estrada gave Santos the lead after racing on to a Cristian Benitez ball inside Monterrey defender Walter Ayovi in the first half. Estrada cut into the box and fired a rising shot that beat goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco at the near post.
Suazo scored the equalizer after receiving a pass from strike partner Aldo De Nigris and shooting low under keeper Oswaldo Sanchez from an angle.
Just before half time, Estrada again got behind Ayovi on the right wing and pulled a cross back for Quintero to head home and re-establish Santos' lead.
After the break, De Nigris helped Monterrey back into the game for a second time after robbing the home defense and bearing down on goal.
Sanchez came out of his goal and prevented De Nigris getting his shot away, but the ball broke for Cardozo to sweep the ball into the net from 12 yards (meters).
Monterrey had the better chances as the second half progressed, but Santos scored the decisive goal when Jose Cardenas? cross from the left forced Davino to stretch out a leg and divert the ball in via the far post.
