Monterrey hold strong to secure 3 points in Copa MX
From the BBVA Bancomer Stadium, the home team of Monterrey faced off against the Leones Negros from the Univerisity of Guadalajara. On paper, Los Rayados were the favorite but the Leones had nothing to lose and made it difficult for Los Rayados.
The first half gave us several moments of danger from both sides, but perhaps the climax of that half came during the 41st minute of the match. A penalty kick should have been awarded to Rogelio Funes Mori from Los Rayados but instead, he was given a yellow card for faking the fall.
Both teams went to the locker room at the half scoreless and hungry for more.
The first goal of the match came during the 61st minute thanks to a corner kick from Jonathan Urretaviscaya to a defenseless Nico Sanches. Nico did not waste this attempt and put the ball behind the net with fury.
Just a few minutes later, Rogelio Funes Mori got his revenge and scored the second header of the match. The goal was masterfully set up by a quick pass and go between Miguel Layún and Dorlan Pabón from outside the box.
As Los Rayados started to build momentum and were in search for their third score, the Leones Negros countered with their first and only goal of the game. A precise and beautiful long center from Jorge Mora landed in front of Daniel Amador who controlled the ball and lobbed it over the Monterrey goalkeeper.
The player of the game was Monterrey’s back up goalkeeper, Luis Cárdenas, who made several key saves. In the 83rd minute of the game, the Rayados defense made a crucial mistake and left Cárdenas one-on-one with Adrián Villalobos from Leones for the save.
The next competition of this group will take place on August 6th in Chiapas, were Los Rayados de Monterrey will take on the Cafetaleros de Chiapas.
