A stunning bicycle kick stole the show, but Rayados’ defense had an accomplishment of its own in snapping Santos’ long scoring streak
Rogelio Funes Mori’s goal was gorgeous. In the 60th minute of Monterrey’s Liguilla match against Santos Laguna, the Argentine forward, only recently back to full fitness, used his chest for his first touch on a cross from Carlos Rodriguez. Then he unleashed an overhead kick to score the only goal in the first leg of the quarterfinal clash.
The series now heads to Torreon with Rayados holding the slimmest of advantages thanks to Funes Mori’s goal. It was beautiful, a work of art.
Yet, the most impressive feat in Monterrey on Wednesday night wasn’t the ‘chilena’ but rather the defensive effort Monterrey put in to deny Santos an away goal that could have been crucial in the series.
The clean sheet ended a 22-match streak in which Santos scored at least one goal during league matches. Los Guerreros netted in every game during the league season. But between captain Jose Basanta, Nicolas Sanchez and Stefan Medina, Monterrey kept Julio Furch and the rest of Santos’ attackers from finding the back of the net.
The question now may be if Monterrey did enough against the reigning champion.
Back at the Estadio Corona, Santos seems destined to break through at least once, and Funes Mori may have to produce a moment of magic again.
It’s not that Santos didn’t have chances in the first leg. Jonathan Rodriguez missed an early opportunity in the 13th minute with the goalmouth gaping. In the 83rd minute, Furch slipped behind the defense and had an opportunity that was saved by Marcelo Barovero.
The 12-goal scorer had an even better chance earlier in the match, smashing a header toward Barovero’s back post. The goalkeeper was nowhere to be found, but Jesus Gallardo stuck out his left foot to alter the ball’s path and keep it from crossing the line.