Cruz Azul Struggles to Defeat Juárez at the Border

In a thrilling encounter at the Olímpico Benito Juárez, FC Juárez and Cruz Azul clashed in a match that both teams desperately needed to win. The stakes were high as they aimed to revive their campaigns at the start of the tournament.

Cruz Azul’s Early Dominance

The match began explosively, with Cruz Azul scoring within seconds of the whistle. Agustín Palavecino opened the scoring with a well-placed shot that found the back of the net, stunning the home team.

• Goal 1: Scored by Agustín Palavecino (Cruz Azul)

Just moments later, Javier Aquino of Juárez made a critical mistake. José Paradela seized the opportunity, launching a powerful long-range shot that doubled Cruz Azul’s lead.

• Goal 2: Scored by José Paradela (Cruz Azul)

Defensive Struggles and Further Scoring

Juárez had a brief moment of resurgence, generating a couple of opportunities. However, goalkeeper Andrés Gudiño stood tall, effectively preventing any goal from being conceded.

As Juárez found their rhythm, Cruz Azul struck again. Rodolfo Rotondi finished off a brilliant offensive play, bringing the score to 3-0.

• Goal 3: Scored by Rodolfo Rotondi (Cruz Azul)

A Roller Coaster of Emotions

The closing moments of the first half were chaotic. Both Nicolás Larcamón and his assistant received red cards, leading to their ejection from the game. Juárez was awarded a penalty, which Oscar Estupiñán confidently converted, closing the gap to 3-1.

• Penalty Goal: Scored by Oscar Estupiñán (FC Juárez)

Cruz Azul’s Second Half Challenges

In the second half, Cruz Azul maintained control. Carlos Rodríguez scored the team’s fourth goal, seemingly sealing the match at 4-1.

• Goal 4: Scored by Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul)

However, Rotondi faltered when he failed to convert a penalty kick, hitting the crossbar. This moment opened the door for Juárez to rally.

Guilherme Castilho scored with an impressive bicycle kick, reducing the deficit to 4-2. This goal was underscored by Gabriel Fernández’s subsequent red card for Cruz Azul, leaving them with ten men.

• Goal 5: Scored by Guilherme Castilho (FC Juárez)

A Dramatic Finish

As the match neared its conclusion, Estupiñán struck again for Juárez, bringing the score to an exhilarating 3-4. The team pushed hard for an equalizer but was ultimately unable to find the net.

Despite a strong effort from Juárez, Cruz Azul held on to secure the crucial three points.

Match Summary

Cruz Azul’s victory at the border provides them with a much-needed boost as they look to build momentum in the tournament.