Santos Laguna Vs. Monterrey, 2012 Mexican Liguilla Final: It’s All Santos In The First Half

Most expected Santos Laguna to be on the front foot in the second leg of the Mexican Liguilla final considering they were at home, but just how much better they looked than Monterrey in the first half has to have Los Rayados worried. Santos had the bulk of possession and showed some good creativity in breaking down the Monterrey defense, while Monterrey looked devoid of options. In fact, Monterrey could be considered lucky to trail just 1-0 at halftime.

Darwin Quintero started the goal-scoring move for Santos as he came flying down the field, running at the Monterrey defense and putting them on their heels. With the Monterrey defense scrambling, he fed Daniel Ludueña, whose nifty footwork left the would-be defenders in his wake. Ludueña then just had to beat Jonathan Orozco, which he did, and Santos were in front.

That wasn’t it for Santos as they continued to put Monterrey under pressure. They were clearly the better side as Monterrey struggled to gain a footing at any point in the opening 45 minutes. The best they could manage were aimless clearances than a teammate happened to get to and then a speculative shot. Oswaldo Sanchez was only called upon once as Santos took it to Monterrey for 45 minutes.

Having played to a draw in the first leg with no away goals or seed considered in the tiebreaker, the winner of this match will take the Liguilla crown. Right now, that is looking like Santos.