Aviles Hurtado was on target as Monterrey crept past rivals Tigres to seal the “superliderato” of the 2017 Liga MX Apertura and first seed in next week’s Liguilla.
As well as strengthening their stance as favorites to win the title, the result also served as a warning to Tigres, a team who they might eventually face again in the Liguilla.
Aside from a tame Andre-Pierre Gignac header from the visitors, it was Monterey who enjoyed the most of the first half.
It wasn’t until the second period, however, that Rayados took the lead. Seconds after the restart, a play down the right-hand side from Neri Cardozo ended with Juninho deflecting the ball into the back of his own net to give Monterrey the lead.
Moments later, Aviles Hurtado, who had earlier caused problems for Tigres on a breakaway, was on hand to double the lead. A corner from the left produced a gorgeous headed pass from Nicolas Sanchez to Hurtado as the Colombian international fired in his 11th goal of the season.
As the game carried on, Hugo Gonzalez pulled of his best work of the night with only a minute left, showing of a reaction save to an Enner Valencia strike.
At the end Monterrey took home all three points to conquer the Clasicio Regio and first place of the 2017 Liga MX Apertura.