Erick ‘Cubo’ Torres gives Xolos last-minute win over Cruz Azul
Xolos defeated La Máquina 3-2 in Estadio Caliente thanks to a last-minute goal by Erick “Cubo” Torres.
Cruz Azul took the lead in the sixth minute after Pablo Aguilar was left wide open following a free-kick which allowed him to score on a header. It was the Paraguayan’s second goal in the tournament.
It had been a rocky start for Xolos who received two yellow cards in the first few minutes of the match. Despite that, they were able to tie the game with a header in the 18th minute following a free-kick.
A penalty was awarded at the 25th minute after a hand by a Tijuana player. Cruz Azul would be up once again after Yoshimar Yotún shot it dead center into the net.
Pedro Caixininha’s squad was left with ten men in the second half after Adrian Aldrete was ejected from the game in the 55th minute, following his second yellow card of the night.
Tijuana tied the game once again at the 62nd minute after a shot from Kevin Balanta from outside the box was deflected off of another player inside the 18-yard box.
Erick “Cubo” Torres, came off the bench in the 76th minute. He scored the tie-breaking goal in stoppage time, to give Xolos the victory and three points.
“Those who know about soccer can understand what I’ve been through,” said Torres in a post-game interview with Fox Deportes. “It hasn’t been days or weeks, but months without scoring.”
3 Players Debut in Liga MX
Each team had at least one player debut in tonight’s game.
The most notable was the debut of Santiago Giménez, son of Cruz Azul legend “Chaco” Giménez. It was “Chaquito’s” second official tournament with the first team. He moved his way up playing through Cruz Azul’s youth system.
Ecuadorian Bryan Angulo also played his first game with La Máquina. He was acquired a few days ago from Emelec. Uruguayan César Falletti also made his debut with Tijuana when he came in at the 69th minute.
