MEXICO CITY, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Club America secured their third consecutive Mexican top-flight title on Sunday with a 1-1 draw at Monterrey in the second leg of the Liga MX Apertura final.

America won the first leg 2-1 and extended their overall lead through Richard Sanchez's 24th-minute strike in Guadalupe.

Johan Rojas gave his side a glimmer of hope with an 85th-minute goal but it proved too little too late as America survived a tense finale to claim their 16th league title.

It completed a remarkable turnaround for the Mexico City outfit, which languished mid-table for most of the season.

"This one [title] means a lot because we had many injuries," center-back Israel Reyes told reporters after the match.

"I said halfway through the season that if we managed to be champions it would be more special than in previous years, and now here we are: lifting the trophy again. It's a great feeling," the Mexico international defender added.