Match recap: Querétaro FC 2, Santos Laguna 1

Rafael Puente, Jr.’s Gallos Blancos were able to keep high-flying Santos Laguna grounded for most of the evening. They would concede a late goal, but would triumph 2-1 at La Corregidora.

The teams started out fast, going end-to-end. Santos started out getting the better chances on goal, although neither team was able to get anything threatening to happen at first.

In the 18th minute, Querétaro would get on the board when Alexis Pérez got on the end of a corner kick to beat Jonathan Orozco for his first goal of the Apertura. It was the first goal conceded by Santos in 115 minutes.

Querétaro did well to keep men behind the ball, conceding space and possession but looking to hit Santos on the counter. They did on occasion, but Santos was able to largely keep it in check.

In the second half, the clubs would struggle to get momentum in the pouring rain. In the 61st minute, Daniel Villalva found himself a bit lucky when a failed clearance landed at his feet. He turned and fired a hard shot past a diving Orozco to double the home side’s lead.

Time and again Santos would try and feed the ball to Julio Furch or Jonathan Rodríguez, but more often than not the duo was well marked and unable to threaten. Finally in the 88th minute, Santos was able to break through when Jonathan Rodríguez would get fed the ball deep. Cabecito would make a defender miss and fire one past Tiago Volpi.

It would be too little, too late however. Santos was unable to snatch an equalizer and Querétaro would get all three points on the evening.

Next week Querétaro will head to Veracruz to face Tiburones Rojos on Friday while Santos heads back to Torreón to host Club América on Sunday.

Querétaro FC: Tiago Volpi; Alexis Pérez, Diego Novaretti, Hiram Mier. George Corral; Marcel Ruíz, Javier Güémez (Erbin Trejo, 70’), Jaime Gómez; Jordi Cortizo (Gael Acosta, 76’), Camilo Sanvezzo, Daniel Villalva (Everaldo Stum, 78’)

Santos Laguna: Jonathan Orozco; Jesús Angulo, Matheus Doría, Martín Nervo, Javier Abella (Carlos Orrantía, 81’); Brian Lozano, José Juan Vázquez, Osvaldo Martínez (Deinner Quiñones, 75’), Jesús Isijara (Ayrton Preciado, 60’); Jonathan Rodríguez, Julio Furch

Scoring: Queretaro FC - Alexis Pérez (18’), Daniel Villalva (61’); Santos Laguna - Jonathan Rodríguez (88’)

Disciplinary: Queretaro FC - None; Santos Laguna - Matheus Doría (Yellow - 71’)