Atlas and VAR Continue Veracruz’ Woes as Winless Streak Hits 30 Games
Atlas was able to break a two-game losing streak and add to the continuing woes of Veracruz as they came back from an early goal to win 2-1.
Veracruz got off to a dream start and found a goal early in the match. In the 10th minute, Cristian “Polaco” Menendez used a “pick” from Luis Galicia and found a Bryan Carrasco corner kick, spiking his header to the left of Camilo Vargas.
Atlas was close to equalizing the game in the 25th minute via an Osvaldito Martinez right-footed shot that came inches from Jurado’s right post.
Los Tiburones came close to adding to their lead in the 31st minute when Daniel Villalva found an Abraham Gonzalez through ball and crossed a weak shot that didn’t trouble Vargas.
La Academia answered in the very next minute with a close call of their own when Osvaldito attempted a right-footed chip that went over the crossbar as a helpless Jurado looked on.
Los Jarochos missed a golden opportunity to go into the half with a two-goal lead when 17-year-old Jesus Gomez pulled Jesus Paganoni’s jersey inside the box and the referee awarded a penalty kick. However, Colin Kazim-Richards missed the attempt to the right, injuring himself in the process.
Los Zorros finally found the tying goal early in the 2nd half. Javier Correa bodied up Galicia, dribbled into the box, and calmly placed a left-footed shot to the right of Jurado.
The goal opened the game up and the teams exchanged close calls based on guts and effort rather than well thought out plays.
Atlas came close to breaking the deadlock in the 60th minute when Andres “El Rifle” Andrade crossed the ball to a wide-open Mauricio Cuero who tried a palomita that missed to the right of a charging Jurado.
The VAR again made an impact in a Liga MX game and awarded La Academia a controversial penalty kick in the 74th minute. Unlike his opponent earlier, Osvaldito confidently placed a right-footed rocket high and slightly to the right of a helpless Jurado who guessed correctly.
Los Zorros will look to add another “W” when they host La Maquina del Cruz Azul Friday the 16th. Veracruz will look to put an end to their 30-game winless streak Wednesday 14th when they host Los Diablos Rojos del Toluca in the Copa MX.
