Late penalty in Toluca deprives Monterrey of key win
With two games in hand, Monterrey appeared to be in prime position to make a late run up the standings.
This seemed especially true as the Rayados held a 2-1 lead at Toluca deep into stoppage time. Then César Montes got a little lazy.
On a Diablos Rojos free kick, Toluca’s Haret Ortega went down in a heap right in front of goal and after a couple minutes’ delay, the VAR official invited ref Eduardo Galván to look at the replay and another few minutes later, Galván pointed to the spot.
Leo Fernández took the penalty kick at 90+10 and zipped it into the net for a 2-2 tie and just like that Monterrey had dropped 2 points.
Tough decision, but the right one, even if Monterrey disagrees
Although the Rayados were livid, the replay was clear. Montes – perhaps fatigued – had grabbed Ortega’s jersey as the free kick soared into the box and then accidentally stepped on his rival’s foot. It was a penalty.
With that, Monterrey (16 points) missed a chance to climb ahead of Toluca (17 points) into 7th place though with another make-up game next Wednesday the northern giants can still make a late charge.
The controversial finish tarnished an otherwise solid game for the Rayados with Joel Campbell playing the star. The Costa Rica international earned an early penalty then restored Monterrey’s lead in minute 36 with a header shortly after Fernández had equalized for Toluca.
Tijuana 1, Atlético de San Luis 1
Facundo Waller drilled a shot into the upper left corner in minute 85 to earn the visiting Tuneros a key point.
As the clock ticked down at Estadio Caliente, the Xolos were poised to climb four spots in the standings (from 11th to 7th) thanks to a minute 73 penalty kick by Lisandro López.
The result left Tijuana (15 points) just one spot ahead of 12th-place San Luis (14 points) with five games remaining.
Battle for Liga MX supremacy
The league-leading Tigres will make their way from Monterrey to Pachuca to take on the Tuzos tonight in a make-up game from Matchday 9. Pachuca (25 points) fell out of the top spot after a stunning 3-1 loss at Santos Laguna on Sunday. The red-hot Tigres (26 points), meanwhile, have won eight of nine.
Next. Dinenno double gives Pumas leg up in CCL. dark
Right afterward, Matchday 13 kicks off in Estadio Jalisco as the defending Liga MX champs Atlas host Necaxa. Atlas sits in fifth place with 19 points while the Rayos (14 points) are chasing a wildcard spot.