Julio Gonzalez was the star of the game for Pumas after eight saves in regulation and two penalties, as UNAM advances to the Round of 32 in the Leagues Cup, eliminating Monterrey after a 1-1 tie in 90 minutes and a 3-0 win on penalty kicks in West 1.
Monterrey did exactly what it was expected, as they executed their offensive game plan to perfection to start the game to create danger on the opposing side. Jordi Cortizo was all over the field in the first half, as he shot a laser in the 17th minute that was saved by Gonzalez and then delivered a ball through the air that ended up just over the crossbar after a Stefan Medina header two minutes later.
Pumas tried to answer back with Cesar Huerta’s speed on the outside, but it was Jorge Ruvalcaba that, on a set piece, delivered a long ball that hit the crossbar at the 25th minute mark. CF Monterrey continued controlling the ball, as German Berterame had an opportunity to open up the scoring when he shot the ball inside the box but it went off the nearest post at the 39th minute and both teams entered their locker room for halftime tied 0-0.
Fireworks were set off in the second half. Rayados got their first goal of the tournament when Gerardo Arteaga ran for a ball on the left side and served a long cross that Gonzalez could not cut, Jesus Manuel Corona delivered a laser with his right foot to score and take the lead at the 53th minute.
But they say that revenge is a dish best served cold, as Rogelio Funes Mori came off the bench and it paid off for UNAM. In the 80th minute Robert Ergas won a ball near the end line on the left and delivered a long cross towards the far post that “El Mellizo” put in the back of the net after a header to level the score.
Pumas created more chances near the end of regulation but everything remained 1-1 and penalty kicks were needed to determine a winner. The goalkeepers were the stars in the first round of shots after Esteban Andrada for La Pandilla and Julio Gonzalez for Pumas saved penalties for each side, the problem for Rayados is that they could not score at all from 12 yards.
Cesar Huerta, Nathan Silva and Robert Ergas scored their penalties, while Stefan Medina’s shot hit the post and Gonzalez saved Johan Rojas’ attempt to give Pumas a ticket to the Round of 32.
“It is a result that motivates us, that we seek in the sense of being mentally prepared to pass this test against a very difficult rival that works very well and, as I always say, everything we deserved in the last game happened in this one,” said Pumas head coach Gustavo Lema, happy with the final score. “I appreciate the personality and dedication that the players had.”
It was a different feeling in the other locker room. “(We are) hurt, that is the truth,” Rayados head coach, Fernando Ortiz said, visibly disappointed with the end result. “We were not accurate and we did not take advantage of the moments we had, you have to consider that we had clear chances and we were not fortunate enough to be able to put (the ball) in.”
UNAM will travel to Vancouver to face The Whitecaps in the knockout stage of the Leagues Cup, while Monterrey is eliminated after scoring only one goal in the 2024 edition for the tournament.
