Pachuca goes back 2-1 to San Luis and aspires to direct classification

from the newsroom

Newspaper La Jornada
Sunday April 23, 2023, p. a10

Coach Guillermo Almada has had a week of celebrations with Pachuca. Just a few days after renewing his contract until 2026, now the Mx League champion avoided defeat in the final minutes by beating Atlético de San Luis 2-1 to aspire to the direct league positions in the Clausura 2023.

A goal by Illian Hernández gave him the victory at the Hidalgo stadium, which followed the rules of the Mx League with the mandatory FanID for fans. Now, the Tuzos reached 28 points, while San Luis is in the last places of the playoff zone with 18 points.

Roberto de la Rosa and Luis Chávez began the duel on the bench to give them rest after being called up to the Tricolor. Without two such transcendental elements, Cristian Arango became the axis of attack for the Tuzos.

A dynamic duel unfolded on the field with attacks by both squads, but without being able to close the plays to move the score. Paulino de la Fuente and Arango came close to the goal of San Luis, although they were not fine in the definition.

In the most dangerous play, Mauricio Isais slipped into the area with a wall play, however he was stopped by goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero.

When time was running out for the break, a shot from a set piece turned the game around. In a corner charge, Unai Bilbao surpassed the local defense with a jump to connect a header and give the advantage momentarily to the San Potosinos.

Conditioned in the game, Guillermo Almada reinforced his scheme and sent Luis Chávez onto the court, but his physical performance was diminished compared to other performances.

Arango was insistent and threatened with a header, saved by Barovero. The lashes of nervousness began to affect the locals and Isais committed a foul that earned him a warning, being the fifth this season, for which he will be sanctioned on the following date.

The duel seemed to get complicated for Pachuca, but just at that moment, the visitors also made a mistake that was transcendental for the result.

In an attempt to fight for the ball on the edge of the area, José García kicked Arango. Initially, the whistler marked a free kick and moments later it was corrected by VAR, in a silent review, to score a penalty.

Thus, Arango got the equalizer with a shot to the right angle, while Barovero failed in the direction to leave the goal open.

Already before a heavy rain, Pachuca accelerated in the offensive and did the somersault with a surprise play. Illian Gerardo Hernández rescued the ball after a rebound and sentenced from point blank range to celebrate the home win at minute 84.