Cruz Azul defeated Lobos BUAP 1-0 during their opening game of the Copa MX at the Azul stadium Tuesday in group 3 action. The Mexico City squad gave many of its youth players the opportunity to start the Copa MX game against their Ascenso MX rivals.
Argentine Mariano Pavone scored the lone goal for the maquina cementera earning them the three points in group play. Jair Pereira received a red card with ten minutes left in the game.
The cementeros began the game with a run in the first play reaching the Lobos area with a dangerous approach in 55 seconds. The visiting squad was caught off guard and suffered trying to get control of their side of the pitch.
The Liga MX squad was too much for the Liga de Ascenso team. In the tenth minute of play Cruz Azul took control of the scoreboard. Allam Bello took the ball to the out of bounds line on the goal side then back-passed to Pavone who controlled the ball and fired past goalkeeper Oscar Jimenez to give Cruz Azul the 1-0 lead.
The local squad was in firm control of Lobos controlling all runs on goal. However, the Azulinos were not lucky in their approach on the opposing net.
The second half began with Lobos making a quick run on Yosgart Gutierrez’ net. Hebert Alferez saw Gutierrez off his line and took a shot but could not break the net.
Pavone was close to scoring his second of the match a few minutes later. He took the ball all the way to the penalty area. However, Jimenez was on the ball this time around and stopped the Argentine from crossing his line.
The home team continued to apply pressure on the visitors making several runs but again, with no luck in the final shot.
Alejandro Vela was taken down a few inches outside the penalty area in a good position for a set piece. However, the referee waved the foul off and the game continued.
Vela had the final good play of the game when he crossed the ball to his team mate who sent the ball over the crossbar missing the second goal opportunity.
With ten minutes to go in regulation Pereira made a rough tackle on Alferez bringing the striker down to earn his second booking. After the yellow, the referee pulled the red card on the defender who will miss the next game in Puebla.
Despite a man down Cruz Azul continued to control the game. The final minutes had the local squad hiding the ball in the corner and keeping it away from Lobos to run out the clock. Cruz Azul holds on to take the game 1-0. The teams will face each other in their next Copa MX game at the Olimpico de CU stadium in Puebla.
Copa MX results:
Jaguares de Chiapas FC 3, Cruz Azul Hidalgo 2
Necaxa 3, Toros Neza 0
Atlante FC 2, Dorados de Sinaloa 2
Comments