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De Nigris Lifts Monterrey Over Toluca
Two goals from Aldo de Nigris gave Monterrey a win over Toluca in the first leg of the semifinals.
Dec 4, 2009 12:22:44 AM
Aldo de Nigris has three goals in as many Liguilla games.
First Half
Both teams seemed hesitant to attack to start the first half. Both teams had chances off corners but none could convert.
The first real chance of the game did not come until the 15th minute. Nestor Calderon received a cross inside the box. Calderon did not let the ball bounce and shot on goal. Jonathan Orozco made a great save and kept the ball out.
Monterrey did not respond until the 26th minute. Humberto “El Chupete” Suazo tried his luck from long distance. Suazo’s shot was a weak one and Alfredo Talavera had no problems controlling the ball. Suazo tried it again in the 34th minute. El Chupete shot with his left and once again Talavera kept the ball.
Monterrey was slowly taking the advantage at home.
Monterrey saw a chance from free kick crash against the post in the 37th minute. Osvaldo Martinez took a free kick for Monterrey that beat Talavera but crashed against the crossbar in the end.
The half was coming to a close and Monterrey would not go empty handed.
The game hit the 45 minute mark and Monterrey went up 1-0. Suazo sent in a cross from free kick. Aldo de Nigris found the ball with his head and put it away to give his team a 1-0 lead into the half.
Second Half
Toluca came out attacking for the second half.
Martin Romagnoli nearly tied things in the 51st minute. Romagnoli shot from outside the box. The ball was headed straight in but Orozco made a finger-tip save to keep it out.
The game was again kept in midfield with both teams having a tough time to break each others defenses.
Monterrey however found a way to break Toluca’s defense once more in the 66th minute.
Aldo de Nigris received the ball inside the Toluca box. De Nigris then created a marvelous play by threading past two defenders and beating Talavera in the near post. Monterrey took a decisive 2-0 lead.
Toluca produced less and less up top.
Suazo had another shot on goal in the 85th minute. “El Chupete” tried it form behind the area. Talavera had to send the ball away to corner to avoid any real danger.
Toluca had one last play in 91st minute to try and pull one back. Hector Mancilla pulled the trigger but Orozco would not let anything go through.
The game ended in a 2-0 win by Monterrey.
Sylvestre Adame, Goal.com
For more coverage of the Mexican Primera Division, visit Goal.com's Mexico page.
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