Cesar Huerta/Quadratin Jalisco
GUADALAJARA, Jal., October 15, 2022.- Monterrey became the first semifinalist of the 2022 Apertura Tournament this Saturday, after beating Cruz Azul 3-0 (same aggregate) at the BBVA stadium. The goals scored by Germán Berterame, Rogelio Funes Mori and Jesús Gallardo allowed Víctor Manuel Vucetich’s team to reach the next round and keep their dream of being champion alive.
The meeting began with emotions in both arcs. The first clear of the meeting was for the Monterrey team. At minute 10, the corner kick was taken from the right. Hector Moreno’s chopped header. On the line, experienced goalkeeper Jesús Corona had a great reaction, lying down and saving with a great save. The score remained goalless, as had happened in the first leg.
Later, Cruz Azul replied, that he was forced to win this match to stay alive. In ’16, in a backlash, Ángel Romero drove at full speed. He touched to the right for Rodrigo Huescas, who returned it in great form and left him facing the goal. At the height of the penalty mark, the Paraguayan was in full advantage, he finished first but the ball went close to the post. Forgive The Machine.
The scoreboard finally opened on a stopped ball. Monterrey had another corner kick from the left in the 19th minute. The center was closed. On the small area line, Germán Berterame surpassed Juan Escobar’s mark. He beat him up and hit a good header. The shot was crossed and chopped. Jesús Corona launched himself, but it was impossible to get there. Goal by Rayados, who thus took the lead and cleared the way for the Semifinals.
Cruz Azul carried the heavy obligation of going for two giles. At ’29, Ángel Romero, from outside the area, released a complicated shot that Esteban Andrada stretched out to deflect to the corner. Later, the team from the capital took a corner kick from the left. Luis Romo combed, but towards his own goal. Esteban Andrada reacted and put his hand in. The ball hit the crossbar, bounced out. Rayados was saved, at ’35.
In the second part, The Machine was thrown to the front, as it corresponded. He constantly generated. At ’48, Ignacio Rivero started a rebound on the edge of the area and Estaban Andrada deflected to a corner kick five minutes later, taking a free kick from the left. Michael Estrada won from above and hit a header that went inches from the post. The goal did not come for the visiting team.
Another important one was presented to the cement squad when the 79th minute was played. Gonzalo Carneiro lowered the ball inside the area for Carlos Rotondi, who shot in front of the goalkeeper and surpassed him, but the round shook the post. Monterrey, on the other hand, did not forgive in the final stretch: Rogelio Funes Mori pushed to the bottom and was ruled out of place. But the VAR reviewed the play and realized that he was in a valid position. This is how the 2-0 was decreed, at ’84.
And already in added time, Claudio Kranevitter looked up from the left. He sent a center to medium height. Jesús Gallardo arrived at the appointment with the ball. He finished off the air and beat Jesús Corona for the final 3-0, in ’93. Thus, Monterrey became the first semifinalist of the 2022 Opening Tournament and will wait for the rest of the matches to meet its rival in the series for the pass to the Final. For its part, Cruz Azul said goodbye to the contest.
