Argentine Germán Berterame, who is looking to earn a place in Mexico’s next World Cup, scored a goal to give Monterrey (team of Spaniard Sergio Ramos) a 1-0 victory over Toluca in the semifinal of the Mexican soccer Apertura.
In the first leg, the Rayados defended well in the second half and put the balance of the series in their favor because to qualify they only need a draw next Saturday in the second leg.
Rayados set the pace and strike first
Dona y cambia vidas
Tu donativo brinda terapias, esperanza y un futuro sin límites a niños con discapacidad. Haz la diferencia hoy.
Monterrey came out to impose conditions in their stadium against a Toluca team that was depleted in attack due to the absence of Mexican striker Alexis Vega.
One of the offensive spark plugs of Argentine coach Antonio Mohamed’s team.
Mexico’s Nicolás Castro created danger for the Diablos in the 16th minute and Portugal’s Paulinho did the same in the 33rd minute, after which the Rayados of Spanish coach Domenec Torrent were the better side.
Jesus Corona shot at goal in the 38th minute, goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez blocked his attack, but a minute later Berterame accepted a ball in the box and headed in to make it 1-0.
Cárdenas supports Monterrey
Toluca was better in the second half, in which goalkeeper Luis Cárdenas was the hero, saving his team from shots by Paulinho, twice, Castro and Argentine Santiago Simón.
The Devils insisted in search of a goal and in the 86th minute they again came close to equalizing when Marcel Ruiz’s shot crashed against the post.
The ball bounced and, once again, Cárdenas appeared, with the help of defender Ricardo Chávez, to keep a clean sheet.
The second leg will be played in Toluca next Saturday, when Monterrey will have to show its best soccer on a field at an altitude of 2,600 meters above sea level, which is difficult for visiting teams.
A couple of hours earlier, Argentina’s Ángel Correa, world champion with his country in Qatar 2022, scored a goal to give Tigres UANL a 1-1 draw with Cruz Azul.
With information from EFE
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