Toluca Champion Of Apertura 2008

In a tremendous, dramatic, and memorable Final, veteran goalkeeper Hernán Cristante blocked the decisive penalty that handed Toluca their ninth title.

Dec 14, 2008 4:33:55 PM

More On :  Cruz Azul, Toluca, Rolando Hernán Cristante, Toluca vs Cruz Azul
Edgar Dueñas, Paulo Da Silva y Hernán Cristante- Toluca vs Cruz Azul (Mexsport)
By César García

Second Leg
Sunday, December 14, 2008
*Toluca 0(7) - 2(6) Cruz Azul
Estadio Nemesio Díez (La Bombonera)

*Champion of Apertura 2008

In the definitive encounter of the Torneo Apertura 2008, the Diablos Rojos of Toluca were crowned champions after they defeated La Máquina Celeste of Cruz Azul, in a tremendous, intense, and memorable Final at "La Bombonera."
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At the end of the 90 minutes of regulation, Cruz Azul managed to draw the series at two which put them back in the fight for the title.

In the 50th minute, Alejandro Vela kept Cementero hopes alive after he slid to connect a pass by César Villaluz, and proved that the goal defended by Hernán Cristante is not impregnable for the 1-0 Cruz Azul lead.

La Máquina continued to grow, and in the 78th minute, defender Julio César Domínguez headed in the second goal which tied the aggregate score 2-2 and forced the extra time.

The aggregate score parity was maintained throughout the supplementary time, and the new champion of Mexican football had to be defined by the lottery of penalty shootout.

In shots from the penalty spot, the first six from each side converted. 

Albeit, with a little luck for Toluca's Miguel Almazán, whose shot hit the crossbar and was fortuitously deflected in by goalkeeper Yosgart Gutiérrez for the 7-6 Toluca lead in the penalties.

It was up to Alejandro Vela again to keep Cruz Azul's title dreams alive.

However, the incredible season for 39-year old Argentine goalkeeper Hernán Cristante, reached its climax, when his left hand blocked Vela's shot and handed the Diablos Rojos their ninth title.

The Apertura 2008 championship makes Toluca the third most winning team of Mexican football and the most successful club of the past ten years, with six titles. 

Coach José Manuel de la Torre forged a solid and well-balanced team that found consistency and a dominant form at the right moment, which allowed him to earn his second title in his young managerial career.

Also, the Estadio Nemesio Díez suits De la Torre well, who ironically defeated Toluca in the Apertura 2006 final with Chivas del Guadalajara, and now returns the glory to the Toluca faithful.

For their part, Cruz Azul drowned in their sorrow after their brave efforts could not prevent a second consecutive Finals defeat and bring an end to an 11-year title drought.

In an important note, Cruz Azul played most of the second half and all of extra time with ten men, due to a serious injury to César Villaluz. 

The 20-year old had to be transported immediately to the hospital after a hard collision with Toluca defender José Manuel Cruzalta, in the 73 minute.

Lineups

Toluca
Hernán Cristante; Sergio Amaury Ponce (Diego De la Torre ‘103), Edgar Dueñas, Paulo Da Silva, Manuel De la Torre (Miguel Almazán ‘71); Israel López, Martín Andrés Romagnoli, Néstor Calderón (José Manuel Cruzalta ‘55), Antonio Naelson; Carlos Esquivel, Héctor Raúl Mancilla

Cruz Azul
Yosgart Gutiérrez; Carlos Bonet (Edgar Lugo ‘65), Joaquín Beltrán, Julio César Domínguez, Rogelio Chávez (Jaime Lozano ‘56); Gerardo Torrado, Christian Riveros, Alejandro Vela, César Villaluz; Miguel Sabah, Nicolás Vigneri (Pablo Zeballos ‘46)

Scoring
CRU: Alejandro Vela (‘49), Julio César Domínguez (‘78)

Penalty Shootout
Toluca
7
Cruz Azul
6
López
O
Lozano
O
Naelson
O
Sabah
O
De la Torre
O
Torrado
O
Esquivel
O
Beltrán
O
Mancilla
O
Zeballos
O
Dueñas
O
Lugo
O
Almazán
O
Vela
X

Cards
TOL: Romagnoli (‘47), Silva (‘90), Ponce (‘103)

CRU: Torrado (‘18), Chávez (‘32), Lozano (‘59), Beltrán (‘63), Lugo (‘72),      Sabah (‘100)

Referee
Roberto García Orozco

-- César García covers México for Goal.com.
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