Everything looked like it was going perfectly for Cruz Azul, but the last 10 minutes turned into a nightmare and sent Monterrey through to the CONCACAF Champions League final. Cruz Azul got the first goal of the match to put them even on aggregate at 2-2, but ahead thanks to an away goal. A 79th minute penalty and red card changed everything though as Monterrey converted the penalty to go ahead on aggregate and ahead to a matchup in the final with Real Salt Lake.
Cruz Azul Vs. Monterrey, CONCACAF Champions League: Monterrey Advance To Face Real Salt Lake
Cruz Azul’s goal came quickly as a long ball over the top was inch-perfect and sent the Blue Machine away. The shot was hit sharply, only to be well saved, but ti fell right to Cesar Villaluz, who knocked home the rebound for the opening tally.
From that point on, Cruz Azul was content to sit deep and defend while waiting for the opportunity to strike quickly on the counter-attack. It worked well for a while and frustrated Monterrey star striker Humberto Suazo, but it bit them in the end. With Monterrey on the ball so long they were able to send crosses into the box and one ball floated in forced Walter Ponce to push an attacker. It was a soft push, but the referee still pointed to the spot and showed Ponce his second yellow card of the match.
Suazo stepped up and knocked the penalty kick in, giving Monterrey the goal that would send them to the final. The final 10 minutes were difficult for Cruz Azul being down a man and they never really threatened, leaving them to do nothing more than argue with the referee after the match. The penalty was soft and the Cruz Azul players were incensed with Fausto Pinto even being shown a red card after the final whistle for his arguing.
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