Antonio ‘Turco’ Mohamed’s team was underestimated by Monterrey, who never lost composure despite losing two players due to injury in the first 15 minutes of the match at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario.
The first to leave the duel was Érick Aguirre, who left in tears after feeling muscle pains and was replaced by Sebastián Vegas in the 11th minute.
In the dispute for the ball, Jordi Cortizo received a charge from Nathan Silva and fell, hitting his left shoulder on the grass, which caused it to be dislocated, and he had to leave the field in the 17th minute for Rodrigo Aguirre.
Controversy arose at CU after Rayados called for a penalty on Rogelio Funes Mori when he tried to turn inside the area and on Lisandro Magallán’s mark, but referee Ismael López allowed the game to continue.
In the second half, after Maxi Meza’s personal best against ‘Chino’ Huerta, ‘Turco’ Mohamed activated his attack by taking on Christian Tabó for Juan Ignacio Dinenno, who immediately announced himself in the field.
Dinenno created the two most dangerous plays for the Pumas of the game after heading a ball that Héctor Moreno took off the line with a wonderful bicycle kick, and a few minutes later, the Argentine made a mistake after connecting a diagonal from ‘Toto’ Salvio to send it to the side of the goal of Esteban Andrada, who almost lost.
Rodrigo Aguirre, who came on for the injured Cortizo, also had to leave on a stretcher after a fierce clash of heads with Nathan left the Monterrey forward suffering and with a bloody face. The Uruguayan was replaced by young player Ángel Jordán in the 76th minute, while the Brazilian from Pumas was replaced by Gustavo del Prete.
Dinenno was again the protagonist and almost got a penalty for the Pumas after a shot inside the area hit the hand of Víctor Guzmán, but VAR determined it was not a foul as the ball first hit the leg of the royal defender.
Just when it looked like the game would end goalless, Ponchito González appeared to control a diagonal from the right wing by Luis Romo and hit it with a low, angled left foot shot that was enough to defeat Julio González at 90 + 3′.
With CU’s win, Rayados del ‘Tano’ Ortiz climbed to fifth place in Liga MX by reaching 20 points with two games remaining.
Meanwhile, Pumas remained in third place with 21 points, although they may be displaced if San Luis defeats Necaxa.
