Match Recap: Monterrey allow three second-half goals to Chivas and lose 4-2 at home

Monterrey faced off against Chivas de Guadalajara tonight in the Estadio BBVA Bancomer in Monterrey, Mexico, with los Rayados needing a win to right the ship and keep pace with Deportivo Toluca. Meanwhile, Chivas were looking to rebound from a loss to Pachuca after winning three games in a row.

Despite taking a 2-1 second half lead, Monterrey allowed four goals at home to fall 2-4 to Chivas, and questions have to be asked after Monterrey allowed yet another second half lead to evaporate.

Monterrey, who were already missing their captain, José María Bastana, through injury, were dealt a blow early in the match, as Avilés Hurtado was forced off the pitch in the 6th minute due to injury. He was replaced a minute later by Jonathan Urretaviscaya.

Monterrey got a good header in the 14th minute from Jesus Gallardo after a few Rayados attackers were loose in the box. Urretaviscaya sent the cross over the head of the defender, only for Gallardo’s header to head straight for the Chivas keeper.

Dorlan Pabon took an extremely speculative shot in the 19th minute, but his shot was always rising and didn’t come close to the net. He followed it up with a low cross into Luis Madrigal less than a minute later, but Chivas snuffed out the attack and sent the ball out into touch.

Gallardo got a great shot off in the 23rd minute, and a follow-up shot by Rodolfo Pizarro also tested the keeper. However, both were kept out by the keeper and Chivas once again kept the ball out of the back of the net.

After coming on for Hurtado early in the match, Urretaviscaya went down injured in the 34th minute and was subbed off, with Leonel Vangioni coming on in the 35th minute. Another unlucky moment for los Rayados, as the injury bug seemed to be biting harder than usual this season for los Rayados.

Rodolfo Pizarro had perhaps the best chance of the half a little while later, but his weak shot was easily collected by the Chivas keeper.

And because Monterrey are cursed, Chivas scored a goal in the 43rd minute. Chivas’ Brizuela put a brilliant low cross right across the face of goal, and Jose Van Rankin was at the back post to slam the ball home.

In the 50th minute, however, Monterrey climbed back into the match, as Jesus Gallardo’s cross found Madrigal, who then took a very poor touch. But the keeper from Chivas made a terrible error and allowed the ball to roll through his hands, and Dorlan Pabon was able to pounce on the loose ball and score. About time Monterrey had some luck go their way.

Monterrey took the lead in the 65th minute after Stefan Medina scored a great header on a corner kick. Monterrey had played better in the second half after grabbing a sloppy goal, and their aerial advantage was once again exploited by on a set piece.

However, the joy would not last long, as Chivas came back to draw level only a few minutes later from a corner kick. Monterrey fell asleep at the near post and a shorter-taken corner was easily headed into the back of the net.

Despite the introduction of Rogelio Funes Mori, Chivas got a go-ahead goal from Gael Sandoval as he scored a magnificent diving header from a great cross by Brizuela. Barovero got a hand to the ball, but Sandoval, who had gotten past Stefan Medina, put too much pace and power on the header and the ball hit the back of the net.

Monterrey came close after a shot from Pabón was just turned over the back of the net, with Jesus Gallardo all alone in front of the keeper, but he couldn’t keep his header down.

Alan Cervantes put the game out of reach for Chivas in the 85th minute, as he did well to get past two Monterrey defenders to get a free shot at the goal with his favored right foot, and shot it past a diving Barovero.

The rest of the match was seen out by Chivas, as Monterrey didn’t really get a sniff at goal and the crowd let the team know their disappointment with the result with a number of boos ringing out.

After two straight LigaMX losses, Monterrey go into next week’s Clasico Regio in trouble and needing to figure out how to right the ship. Despite sitting fourth in the table, Monterrey are only three points away from 9th placed Chivas, and the way that they are playing right now, it will be difficult to keep themselves in the Liguilla places.