By Tony Álvarez
It was one for the ages, as both teams traded spectacular goals before Monterrey ultimately defeated Club América 5-4 in a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw in regulation to reach the Leagues Cup Final.
Club América controlled much of the first half, and Isaías Violante came as close as anyone to opening the scoring — twice. Ten minutes into the match, the attacker unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from just inside the box on the right, but Esteban Andrada made the save and pushed it out for a corner.
Then, at the 30-minute mark, Violante had another opportunity from the opposite side of the box. Once again, he fired a rocket toward the near post, but Andrada raised his right hand to make an authoritative save. The scoreless deadlock would not last much longer.
Four minutes into the second half, Diego Rossi surprised everyone with a spectacular long-range effort. Dribbling near the right sideline, Rossi appeared ready to send a cross into the box, but instead his effort sailed over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to put Rayados ahead 1-0.
Las Águilas responded — and in spectacular fashion. Following a set piece in the 57th minute, Ramón Juárez took advantage of poor defensive coverage to collect the ball inside the box. He controlled it with his right foot before unleashing a powerful left-footed strike past Andrada to level the score.
Then came another beauty. Club América broke forward in transition with CF Monterrey struggling to get organized defensively. Alan Cervantes received the ball, set himself and unleashed a screamer from well outside the box to give the Azulcremas a 2-1 lead in the 64th minute.
But that advantage was quickly erased. After a controversial penalty was awarded for a foul on Orbelín Pineda just two minutes later, Lucas Ocampos stepped up in the 69th minute and converted from the spot to level the match once again, this time at 2-2.
Both teams traded blows for the remainder of the match, but neither could find another goal, sending the Semifinal to a penalty shootout. Raphael Veiga opened the shootout by converting for Club América, while Luca Orellano answered for CF Monterrey.
In the second round, two Uruguayan stars delivered, as Brian Rodríguez and Diego Rossi both converted for their respective teams. Israel Reyes kept América perfect from the spot despite Andrada guessing correctly, before Víctor Guzmán beat Rodolfo Cota to make it 3-3 after three rounds.
Then came the decisive moment. Alan Cervantes, after scoring a memorable goal in regulation, sent his penalty well over the crossbar. Rayados took advantage, as Jesús Corona sent Cota the wrong way to give Monterrey the edge.
Even after Erick Sánchez converted América’s final attempt, Hugo Cuypers calmly stepped up and fired his penalty into the net to seal the victory. La Pandilla secured its first-ever appearance in a Leagues Cup Final, while Club América will now play for third place.
REACTIONS
- Monterrey Head Coach Matías Almeyda
- “We know this is the path we envisioned and desired; congratulations to everyone. Our people will surely be happy, but we want more. The first objective was to qualify for the Concacaf tournament—which has been achieved through various results, though we knew we would get there regardless—so we are happy."
- “You always compete to reach finals, and making it to a final within three months suggests we are on the right track. I highly value the attitude of the group I coach—I always emphasize that—and I think it was a great match against a very tough opponent”.
- América Head Coach Guillermo Almada
- “I congratulated them on their commitment and effort—because they gave it their all on the pitch—and that’s soccer; at times Monterrey played their game and they have great players, but I think it was a good match from both sides”.
- “I can only speak to my time at the club and where we stand now; I can't comment on the past—or anything like that—because I wasn't here. To be honest, they had a spectacular season (...) it really hurts, but we’re on the right track”.
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
- Monterrey
- Diego Rossi scored the opening goal of the match on a sensational chip from outside the box.
GAME NOTES
- Monterrey reaches its first-ever Leagues Cup Final.
- Monterrey records its first penalty shootout victory in Leagues Cup.
- Club América finished with 14 corner kicks, compared to just two for Monterrey.
- For the first time in this year’s tournament, Monterrey did not score in the 83rd minute or later.
- Alan Cervantes scored in regulation but was the only player to miss in the penalty shootout.
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow Cards:
- América: Ramon Juarez
- Monterrey: Lucas Ocampos
LOOKING AHEAD
- Monterrey will play Toluca FC in the Leagues Cup Final on Sunday, September 6
- Club America will play Club Leon in the Leagues Cup third place match on Sunday, September 6
