Monterrey stay top after win in Morelia

Two goals from Rogelio Funes Mori helped Monterrey stay top of the league table after a 3-2 win over Monarcas Morelia. Once again, Rayados needed late heroics in an away game after Monterrey previously needed a late winner over Querétaro in Week 3. Monarcas Morelia, meanwhile, should feel disappointed, having had the lead at one point in this match and looking like the better team. Fans will feel especially bad with the performance of Sebastian Ferreira, who twice had golden opportunities wasted.

The first half started with Monterrey going forward and coming close to scoring when a Rogelio Funes Mori header was cleared by a defender after Sebastian Sosa seemed to have misjudged it. Monterrey continued to have the more opportunities, but Morelia had the clearest chance when Sebastian Ferreira mistimed his jump and blew a great opportunity, as his header went wide after a great cross from Edison Flores.

Then a great goal by Rogelio Funes Mori opened the scoring. After Morelia lost a ball in the middle of the field, Funes Mori saw goalkeeper Sosa out of place and sent a long range bomb that went in for the 1-0.

It only took Morelia a minute to tie it. After a Morelia played looked to have been taken down, Monterrey players complained to the ref about him diving. Morelia continued with the play, and with the ref giving the man advantage (and because of the short time Monterrey defenders spend protesting), it allowed Edison Flores to get to the area and score past keeper Marcelo Barovero.

Morelia then got inspired by the equalizer and had the better play for the rest of the half, although not much danger was created.

The second half continued with Morelia’s small dominance over Rayados. After a close call was ruled offside, Gaston Lezcano gave Morelia the lead. A great counter and bad defending left Lezcano wide open for a solid shot past the keeper to give Morelia the lead.

Monarcas came close to getting a third when once again Sebastian Ferreira had a great 1 on 1 opportunity with the keeper, but he sent the ball straight to Barovero.

Monterrey slowly started to get more into the game, especially when Jesus Gallardo was subbed on. It was Gallardo who made the play that would give Monterrey the leveler when he went through the Morelia defense and made a shot past the keeper. The shot wasn’t the best but allowed Funes Mori to beat the offside trap and score after connecting with the errand shot.

The 2-2 draw seemed to be the right result, but Monterrey became the more offensive side. They came close to adding a third after Aviles Hurtado almost dribbled the keeper but had to resort to a back pass to Carlos Rodriguez, who almost scored.

A couple of minutes later, a great combination play was finished by Rodriguez, who volleyed it past Sosa for the 3-2 with minutes left to play.

Morelia went all out and a Ray Sandoval long range shot was saved by Barovero. However, time ran out and Monterrey had the 3 points.

The three points mean Monterrey will continue to be the leader and might now have got past their road woes, although the game on itself wasn’t as convincing a performance as those displayed at home. Still the three points are huge and they will now set eyes on their debut in El Salvador for the CONCACAF Champions league against home team Alianza. Morelia, on the other hand, will need to quickly bounce back for their Tuesday Copa MX away match against Correcaminos, in their final group stage game, before facing last placed Querétaro in Liga MX.