Mexican Liguilla Final, Santos Laguna Vs. Monterrey: 3-2 Full Time, Santos Takes Lead To Monterrey

Santos will have an advantage going in to the return leg of the Mexican Liguilla final thanks to an own goal by Duilio Davino caused by a cross from substitute Jose Cardenas. Just before Cardenas was introduced in the 77th minute, it looked like both teams were growing content with a draw. Based on the fact that Santos lost after drawing in the home leg of the Bicentenario, they should probably know better than that, and their introduction of Cardenas indicated that they were going for the jugular. Ruben Omar Romano’s substitution proved to be a great one and his team have a lead as a result.

The man Cardenas entered for, right back Jorge Ivan Estrada, was probably the man of the match. He’s mine for sure, and he was also named man of the match by the game’s broadcaster, Telefutura. I’m surprised they did it right after full time instead of delaying showing their man of the match for four minutes. He scored the opener, assisted on Carlos Darwin Quintero’s goal, and did a great job defending all night. Neither of the Monterrey goals came from attacks down his flank and he outplayed veteran Ecuadorian international Walter Ayovi by a significant margin for the duration of the game.

Aldo de Nigris of Monterrey was another man of the match candidate as he set up both of Monterrey’s goals. It was a refreshing performance from the center forward after two below par performances against Pumas in the semi-finals. He formed a very effective partnership with Humberto Suazo and they gave their manager reasons to stick with them up top.

Monterrey’s defense was a different story, though, and they will need to be patched up before the second leg of the final. Ricardo Osorio’s injury, if it keeps him out for the second leg, will be a difficult blow to take.

Away goals and the seeding tiebreaker do not apply in the final, so Monterrey will simply have to win the return leg by one goal to force a penalty shootout. The return leg takes place on Sunday night at 7 pm ET and can be viewed on Telemundo.