Monterrey 3-3 Pachuca: Late Surge Not Enough For Tuzos

Monterrey holds off a hard-charging Pachuca side to reach the semifinals.

Nov 22, 2010 1:09:00 AM

More On :  Monterrey, Pachuca
Monterrey (Mexsport)
Monterrey escaped from the first round of the playoffs with a thrilling 3-3 draw on Sunday and claimed their series over Pachuca by a 4-4 aggregate.

Monterrey advanced based on having a better regular-season record.

Humberto Suazo opened the scoring in the 19th minute when he danced around some Pachuca defenders and slotted the ball past Miguel Calero and into the back of the net. Walter Ayovi set the play up but Suazo took care of the rest with some nifty footwork.

However, Arizala scored his first goal in the 26th minute. Damian Manso sent a perfectly-weighted ball into the middle of the box and Arizala flicked the header on goal and Pachuca leveled terms.

Not 10 minutes later, though, Monterrey went up again. Neri Cardozo and Ayovi combined to move the ball down the left flank. Ayovi sent the ball from near the end line to the top of the six-yard box and Aldo De Nigris re-directed the ball into the back of the net.

In the 57th minute, Monterrey seemingly took a comfortable two-goal lead in both the game and aggregate score. After Pachuca failed to score in frotn of the Monterrey goal, Cardozo and Suazo raced into the Pachuca penatly area. Cardozo found Suazo alone on the left side of the box but Suazo immediately sent the ball back to Cardozo, who settled and ripped a shot past Calero.

With time running out, though, Pachuca made a charge. In the 85th minute, Arizala headed a corner kick into the back of the net and los Tuzos were within two goals of reaching the semifinals.

Herculez Gomez set up the last goal of the match as he chipped Monterrey 'keeper Jonathan Orozco.

In the second minute of stoppage time, Pachuca won a free kick on the left side of the field. Manso sent the ball to the far post and Pachuca 'keeper Miguel Calero attempted a bicycle kick. The shot was on frame but Orozco scooped it up and los Rayados eventually hung on for the victory.

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
2 Comments
 
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai

    Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.

  2. ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams

    Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.

  3. ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite

    Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.

  4. LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth

    With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.

  5. McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date

    The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.