Resilient Cruz Azul withstand intense second-half pressure to claim 1-0 win
Stingy Cementeros defense allows Rodolfo Rotondi’s first-half goal to stand up
Rodolfo Rotondi finished a clever Cruz Azul move forward by ripping a one-timer past Esteban Andrada and that 34th-minute goal stood up to give the Cementeros a 1-0 win over Monterrey in their Liga MX semifinal series.
Winger Uriel Antuna created space along the right sideline then cut back a pass to Lorenzo Faravelli who spun toward the box and chipped a pass to Alexis Gutiérrez just above the penalty spot.
With his back to goal, Guti held off a defender then dropped a pass off to his right. Rotondi ran onto the ball and zipped a low shot with his non-dominant right foot inside the far post.
Andrada did make five saves on the night, including a splendid reflex save off a close-range Gutiérrez header in minute 62.
A game of two halves
Other than Luis Romo’s nifty move into the box in minute 30 that forced a save by Kevin Mier, Monterrey had little to say in the first half despite hosting the first leg.
