One of the most anticipated matchups of the Liga MX season was the eventful, controversial affair that it usually is: Mexican giants Monterrey and Tigres went Sonny Gray Jersey head to head in the 126thClasico Regiomontano and it was the home team which emerged victorious, 2-0, at BBVA Stadium.
Rayados got a 14th-minute goal from Alvaro 'Ponchito'Gonzalez and then sealed the match with a Matias Kranevitter goal deep in second-half stoppage time, as they overtook Tigres in the standings and the race for the Mexican liguilla playoff places.
The visitors probably deserved more from the match given the initiative they showed throughout. But Tigres were ultimately thwarted by mistimed runs, strong goalkeeping from Rayados netminder Esteban Andrada, the woodwork, or their own misfiring forwards. Their manager, Miguel Herrera, threw the kitchen sink at Rayados with four forwards by the end of the match, but he still saw his team come up short in front of goal.
MORE:
Despite starting with a five-man backline, Tigres were burned time and again by Monterrey's wingers in transition, primarily Maxi Meza down the attacking flank. The local teamdidn't have the same volume of attacksin the first half, but its counterattacks were so incisive, it was always the most likely to score. The turning point came just before halftime, when a blast from Derek Dietrich Jersey Tigres star Andre-Pierre Gignac was saved off the cro sbar by Andrada, who was plenty busy in the net for Monterrey.
Tigres had two major gripes in this game: on a yellow card call that forced them to substitute defender Carlos Salcedo out of concern he could get a second one they argue the foul in question should not have been punished with a cautionand then on the 91st minute goal by Monterrey that e sentially nullified the eight minutes of stoppage time as far as Tigres were concerned. The counterattack which resulted in thatsecond Monterrey goal started with a collision between the referee and Tigres attacker Nicolas 'El Diente'Lopez.
Monterrey (3-1-5, 14 points) move up to 5th place, six points behind leaders Club America. Dropping down to 8th place are Tigres (3-2-4, 13 points), who trail their cro stown rivals by a single point. The two teams are not scheduled to face each other again until next season, unle s they come acro s one another duringthe Liga MX playoffs.
MORE:
Monterrey vs. Tigres finalscore 1H 2H Final Monterrey 112 Tigres UANL 000Goals: MON - Arturo "Ponchito" Gonzalez (Maxi Meza) - 14th min.MON - Matias Kranevitter (Maxi Meza) - 91st min.
(All times Eastern)
Final: Rayados 2, Tigres 092ndmin.: The officials give eight minutes of stoppage time. It's not going to be enough for a Tigres comeback.
91stmin.: Goal Rayados! Maxi Meza leads another counter even this late in the game and he serves it up for Kranevitter, who bundles it into the net. Tigres want the goal disallowed because the turnover occurred after a Tigres player collided with the referee. They have a point. Andre-Pierre Gignac gets a yellow for Brandon Finnegan Jersey protests. The goal stands.
GOL de !Kranevitter define y hace el 2-0 en este .
FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes)Late drama in the . Tigres pushing for an equalizer with Diente Lopez eventually having his run blocked by a referee. Monterrey immediately counter and make it 2-0. Tigres furious with decision to allow play to continue.
Cesar Hernandez (@cesarhfutbol)89thmin.: Beautiful cro s by Quinones, but he mi ses a lunging Charly Gonzalez by a foot. That was a close call for Monterrey.
85thmin.: What a chance for Dave Concepcion Jersey Tigres! "Charly" Gonzalez just needs to head Chaka's cro s onto frame and it's a goal, but he mi ses. The 'keeper had come off his line and mi sed the cro s.
La que tuvo Tigres. Carlos Gonzlez se la perdi y hasta el 'Piojo' lament la jugada.
FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes)84thmin.: Tigres are pre sing and fire off a couple of shots, but the balls can't find a way through. Monterrey is defending deep.
82ndmin.: Monterrey hits the cro sbar! Funes Mori with the downward header off a free kick, but Michael Lorenzen Jersey he was offside on the service.
80thmin.: SUB - Monterrey counters by bringing on another central defender. Veteran Hector Moreno comes on.
77thmin.: SUBS - Tigres bring in two subs: Fulgencio and Charly Gonzalez. Tigres now playing with four all-out attackers.
75thmin.: Maxi Meza has been Monterrey's best attacker on the night. And he pulled off the skill move of the game:
Bonito cao de Maxi Meza.
FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes)72ndmin.: Second-half hydration break ordered by the head ref.
71stmin.: Maxi Meza with a shot from distance that forces Tigres 'keeper Nahuel Guzman into a save.
68thmin.: SUB - Fresh legs in attack for Monterrey: Costa Rican winger Joel Campbell onfor Duvan Vergara.
63rdmin.: Head-to-head collision between two Monterrey defenders: Medina and Montes. The ref immediately stopsplay.
60thmin.: Tigres has to clear the ball twice off the line! Monterrey again with attacking flashes. First it was Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman and then his teammate Chaka Rodriguez to clear the attempt from Rogelio Nick Senzel Jersey Funes Mori.
59thmin.: SUBS: Tigres take off Salcedo who's carrying a yellow and Juan Jose Purata comes on for him. Salcedo was not happy because he feels hisyellow was not justified. Monterrey also brings on center mid Matias Kranevitter for the injured Celso Ortiz, who leaves on the medical cart.
Salcedo perdi el control tras salir de cambio y Miguel Herrera lleg a conversar con el defensa.
FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes)Bien Herrera en sacar a Salcedo que estaba caliente y perdiendo la cabeza. No tardaba en ser expulsado.
San Cadilla El Norte (@SancadillaNorte)57thmin.: The match is following the same script of the first half. Tigres with the more sustained attacking buildups, while Monterrey looks to win the ball and quickly go vertical. Meanwhile, Tigres right back Chaka Rodriguez fires a shot from distance that's easily saved by Andrada.
54thmin.: Monterrey wants a second yellow for Ca
