In a thrilling finish at TQL Stadium, Cincinnati FC defeated Santos on penalty kicks to advance to the round of 16 of the Leagues Cup 2024. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Mexican team surprised at the start and five minutes into the game Anthony Lozano took advantage of a defensive mistake to open the scoring with a shot inside the box and give the Guerreros their first goal of the tournament in regulation time.
The visitors took advantage of their good momentum and a minute later Diego Medina came very close to extending Santos' lead, but his shot went just wide of the goal defended by Roman Celentano.
Cincinnati gradually took control of the match and was quickly rewarded. Argentine Luca Arellano shot from outside the box with his left foot to beat Carlos Acevedo, who could do nothing to prevent the ball from ending up in the net.
Yuya Kubo had the chance to put the Orange and Blue in front, but his header did not have the necessary direction to extend the score in their favor. The referee awarded a penalty in the 36th minute and it looked like the home side would go into the break with the lead, but Acevedo stood tall for the visitors and deflected Kubo's shot by diving to his right.
Cincinnati FC came out with the intention of defining the match in the first minutes of the second half and had several opportunities in the opponent's box, however, Santos defense and the poor shooting of the locals prevented the scoreboard from moving at TQL Stadium.
Both teams tried to break the tie, but as the minutes went by they took fewer and fewer risks and the ticket to the next round had to be decided from the penalty spot. Nerves continued to grow from the 11 steps, as both teams scored their first five attempts.
Santos' six shooter was Aldo Lopez and his attempt was too high and Cincinnati advanced to the round of 16 for the first time. They will now have to face Philadelphia Union, who beat CF Montreal 2-0 in this round.
