Jonathan “Cabecita” Rodríguez scored two goals, the first of them just a minute into the game, to guide América to a comfortable victory over Rayados de Monterrey: 0-3 on Saturday night at the BBVA Stadium. The Monterrey team played with one man less from the 18th minute.
With the victory, the Águilas maintain their lead in the Apertura 2023 standings by reaching 33 points, five above Tigres, who a few hours earlier had humiliated Chivas as a visitor. Rayados, for its part, remains in third place with 23 points – and one game less – after one of its poorest performances in recent tournaments.
Just after the first minute of play, Henry Martín received a pass from Álvaro Fidalgo, entered the area, eluded a defender and before the goalkeeper came out he gave a cross pass to “Cabecita” Rodríguez, who from the left pushed her into the nets with a soft touch. The goal came at 1:09 minutes on the clock.
Rayados is left with one less man due to expulsion
The home team’s hole became much bigger after 18 minutes when they lost a player to expulsion. Sebastián Cáceres was touching the ball on the América field when Maxi Meza hit him on his left ankle.
Referee Adonai Escobedo did not hesitate to show the red card to the captain of Rayados, who made the inexplicable mistake. Meza had been celebrated before the game regarding his 200th game with the club, which is seeking to renew him due to the alleged interest of Sevilla of Spain.
And just four minutes later the Águilas finished off Monterrey by scoring 0-2. Fidalgo sent a long pass from his court that Rodríguez finished off, after a bounce and finding his right profile, to shoot goalkeeper Esteban Andrada.
Great goal from Zendejas to complete the win
Rayados, which is coached by former América coach Fernando Ortiz, started the game asleep and paid dearly against a team that is going through a great moment, which was reflected in the third goal of the game, the best of the night.
Miguel Layún, Fidalgo and Jonathan dos Santos created a triangulation on the right. Layún put in a center from below, Henry Martín assisted Alejandro Zendejas and he shot left footed in the area to round off a magnificent collective play.
In the second half, América slowed down and Rayados, despite having a man less, had some arrivals. Twice they came very close to scoring, including a shot by Omar Govea that hit the post.
The negative note for the current leader of the Liga MX were the two azulcremas players who were injured: Igor Lichnovsky at 45′, possibly with a muscle problem, and Paul Rodríguez at 63′ with a perhaps more serious injury.
Miguel Gallardo, wanting to anticipate Rodríguez in a sweep, lost his balance and knocked him onto his back, but the Americanist’s left leg bent to the wrong side.
Before the game, players from both teams came together to pose with a banner in support of the state of Guerrero, hit by Hurricane Otis.
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