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Cruz Azul reaches Copa semifinals; Rayados advance

By Thomas Buckley

MONTERREY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 02: Daniel Lajud of Monterrey celebrates after scoring the second goal of his team during the round of sixteen match between Cruz Azul and Juarez as part of the Copa MX Apertura 2018 at BBVA Bancomer Stadium on October 2, 2018 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Gustavo Valdez/Jam Media/Getty Images)
MONTERREY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 02: Daniel Lajud of Monterrey celebrates after scoring the second goal of his team during the round of sixteen match between Cruz Azul and Juarez as part of the Copa MX Apertura 2018 at BBVA Bancomer Stadium on October 2, 2018 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Gustavo Valdez/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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Cruz Azul and Monterrey warmed up for their key Liga MX clash this weekend by winning harder-than-expected Copa MX matches vs second-division clubs.

The Cementeros moved into the Copa semifinals with a 2-0 win over giant-killers FC Juárez, getting both goals in the second half after Bravos defender Elio Castro was ejected in minute 47.

Roberto Alvarado showed great hustle to knock home the opener in minute 61, racing into the box to collect a lead pass from Misael Domínguez and cutting it back for Milton Caraglio just above the penalty spot. Caraglio’s shot was blocked and trickled to the left of goal and Alvarado reacted first coming back into the play and firing low under sprawling goalie Iván Vázquez.

Martín Cauteruccio put the game away 12 minutes later, trapping a shot by teammate Rafa Baca, turning and crisply thumping a shot inside the near post.

Cruz Azul played with nine first-teamers but looked static during the first 45 minutes. Alvarado was the most active but appeared a bit uncomfortable playing more inside than is normal. Domínguez was supposed to supply creativity but he was prone to turnovers while Cauteruccio and Édgar Méndez seemed inclined to wait to see what teammates were doing rather than finding space or shaking their markers.

Juárez was not as aggressive as they were last week against No. 1 seed América in their Round of 16 match, but they did manage two scoring chances in the opening half. Once Castro was shown red, however, the Bravos dropped back into a more conservative formation and never truly threatened Guillermo Allison in goal.

In Monterrey, the Rayados came out blazing, seeing a goal disallowed for a handball before scoring twice just before the half hour only to see Zacatepec reply quickly with an own goal by Jesús Gallardo. The Monterrey fullback made up for his error two minutes later by scoring to restore the 2-goal lead.

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Despite playing with several academy players, the Rayados seemed on the verge of turning the game into a rout. Nineteen-year-old Daniel Lajud was a terror for the Cañeros defenders and his goal in minute 27 was a beauty, picking out the upper-90 to the goalie’s left from 23 meters.

Also on the field were 19-year-old Eric Cantú, 21-year-old Carlos Alberto Rodríguez and 22-year-old Edson Gutiérrez. Coach Diego Alonso seemed set to allow key starters to get a day off ahead of Saturday’s match vs Cruz Azul.

Zacatepec refused to cooperate, however, and Andrés Ramírez knocked home a header of a corner kick in minute 68 and suddenly it was 3-2. Alonso sent in first-choice strike partners Dorlan Pabón and Rogelio Funes Mori in an effort of ensuring passage to the quarterfinals.

The Cañeros scratched and clawed, nearly tying things up twice. Finally, six minutes into injury time, Pabón put the game away, blasting home from 18 meters.

The Gallos Blancos await Monterrey in the Copa MX quarterfinals (the Rayados-Cañeros match was originally scheduled last week but its was postponed due to heavy rains and an electrical storm).

Two other Copa quarterfinals matches are scheduled for Wednesday night. The Tigres visit Pachuca, while León hosts UNAM.

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