León wins 10th game in a row, ties Cruz Azul’s 1972 record
The league-leading Leon played host to Los Rayos de Nexaca in the 13th week of Liga MX play. Leon was coming into this game riding a nine-game win streak after having completed a comeback victory against Morelia, and Los Rayos were also coming off their 2-0 victory against Los Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz.
Leon got into this game on full throttle as just in the second minute of play Angel Mena took the ball into the 18-yard box and sent a dangerous cross trying to find a teammate but was cleared away by Nexaca defenders.
During the 11th minute, Nacho Ambriz’ team continued to make some noise on the attacking end. They received a free kick just outside the 18-yard box which was sent straight into the defending wall by Luis Montes adding to another missed opportunity by Los Panzas Verdes.
In the 28th minute, Jose Juan Macias dribbled past several Rayos defenders and sent in a cross to Luis Montes who rifled a shot towards goal that was blocked by goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez, but Jean Meneses found the rebound and shot the ball past Gonzales to take the lead 1-0 for the league leaders.
Leon continued their excellent play after their first goal, and during the 35th minute, Fernando Navarro sends a fantastic shot from just outside the 18-yard box that leaves Gonzalez frozen to the floor and staring at the ball makes its way into the net giving the Panzas Verdes the 2-0 lead heading into halftime.Nexaca started the second half in full force generating two free kicks just outside the box and then a few other shots on goal that missed just wide of Rodolfo Cota’s goal.
A referee decision that would change the second half of play was made during the 63rd minute when the referee went to the Video Assistance Review (VAR) and upgraded a common foul to a red card leaving Los Rayos down to 10 men.Despite being down one man, Nexaca found some life in the game during the 71st minute, as Cristian Calderon sent a cross into the big box that found Brian Fernandez who jumped and headed the ball into the goal cutting the deficit 2-1.
A final opportunity for Los Rayos came during the 91st minute when Fernandez received a loose ball inside the 18-yard box but shot the ball wide right of Gonzales’ net.
Los Panzas Verdes extended their win streak now to 10 games in league play, tying a record that Cruz Azul had held since 1972. Next round Leon will go on the road to face Los Camoteros de Puebla and hope to break the all-time win-streak record. Meanwhile, Los Rayos look to stay in the playoff race and will head to Guadalajara to face Los Zorros del Atlas
