Spaniard Sergio Canales scored a goal and added an assist to give Rayados de Monterrey a 2-0 win over America in the quarterfinals of the Mexican Apertura on Wednesday.
Canales and Fidel Ambriz scored for Sergio Ramos’s Rayados, who showed great defense, were convincing at zero hour and now have everything in their favor to advance to the semifinals, which they will achieve if they defeat América in the second leg of the series on Saturday, draw or lose by one goal.
Rayados extends lead
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The first half was a short one in the first 40 minutes, with the teams concerned with not giving advantages in the defense.
In the 45+3 minute, Canales struck a left-footed shot from outside the box and put the ball in the net to give his team a 1-0 lead.
The second half began with a lively América that came out for the equalizer and came close to getting it in the 57th minute with a shot by Uruguayan Brian Rodríguez, which went just wide.
Monterrey created danger with Gerardo Arteaga in the 70th minute, but it was a minute later when Spanish coach Domenec Torrent’s team widened the gap.
Canales took a corner kick with a cross into the box that was accepted by Ambriz, who scored with a header after a defensive lapse.
Monterrey misses, America misses
Despite having the advantage, the Rayados continued with their offensive attitude and in the 84th minute they let in the third goal.
Frenchman Anthony Martial confirmed his status as the Regios’ disappointment of the campaign when he received a ball and, with everything in his favor, smashed it against the post.
In the 91st minute, Brazilian coach André Jardine’s América had its clearest scoring opportunity.
However, Erick Sanchez shot wide to confirm the Eagles’ dark night.
A couple of hours earlier, Portugal’s Paulinho scored a goal to give champion Toluca a 1-2 win over Juarez FC.
Later, Tijuana beat Tigres UANL, led by Argentine world champion Ángel Correa, three goals to nil.
This Thursday, Cruz Azul will visit Chivas de Guadalajara.
With information from EFE
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