Disputed Goal Helps Monterrey Edge Santos

After an early mistake by defender Felipe Baloy, Monterrey's potent offense helped make up for it as the club beat Santos 2-1 in a Jornada 15 match.

Monterrey scored two goals after Baloy was credited with an own goal and Monterrey kept pace in Group 2.

Los Rayados stayed within a pair of points of Morelia, who beat Jaguares 2-1, and put pressure on America, who were tied with Monterrey on 26 points entering their own game against Pumas scheduled for Thursday.

Santos, meanwhile, lost their lead in Group 3 as Cruz Azul surpassed los Guerreros. Cruz Azul have 27 points in Group 3 while Santos have 26.

Monterrey broke the scoring deadlock, though, but it was on their own net that they made damage. Daniel Ludueña started the play on the left side of the box as he got around both Duilio Davino and Gerardo Galindo. Ludueña knocked a ball to the front of the goal and it deflected off Baloy and into the goal.

The match went into halftime with Santos ahead 1-0 but the hosts did not wait long to notch their equalizer. Monterrey's Osvaldo Martinez ripped a 30-yard blast off the left post and over the goal line just 22 seconds into the second half as he bagged an impressive equalizer.

Four minutes later, Monterrey nabbed the match-winner in both impressive and controversial manner. Humberto Suazo received the ball on the right side of the box, cut back and the had the ball settle on his left. Instead of turning his body to send a cross in on goal, Suazo fired a cross with his right foot but did so by hitting the ball as it sat adjacent to his left.

The ball floated in on goal and Aldo De Nigris headed it on goal. The shot hit the crossbar, bounced down and was ruled to have crossed the goal line before bouncing out. Monterrey celebrated while Santos players protested but to no avail.

Walter Jimenez and Oswaldo Sanchez were each booked after the goal and Santos spent the rest of the game chasing the hosts. In the 85th minute, their chase ended when former Monterrey star Carlos Ochoa was sent off.

Monterrey will next play America in Estadio Azteca as the club tries to secure a playoff berth. Meanwhile, Santos will visit San Luis.

Goal.com

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