Monterrey did what many might have expected of a side boasting such great historical precedent in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, beating Forge FC with clinical fashion to take the lead in the matchup via a 2-0 win in Canada. The scoreline is indicative of a game where experience outweighed possession, which was in favor of the home team. The second will be in Mexico, with the Rayados in a comfortable position to seal their spot in the next round.
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Efficiency above all
Monterrey did not need to dominate every aspect of the game to walk away with the win. For the first time in the competition, Forge FC had more possession than their opponent 52.6%, but that did not translate into real control. The Canadian team struggled to turn that advantage into actual threats.
Meanwhile, Monterrey was direct. An impressive number for an away team in this tournament, they shot the ball 19 times in total.
Long-range strikes made the difference. Monterrey's two goals were beautifully placed long-range strikes-first by Nelson Deossa, a left-footed shot to break the deadlock, then Jordi Cortizo, barely off the bench, curled in a perfectly placed free kick to double the lead. Two moments which showed this team can strike from distance.
Curiously, in the last Concacaf Champions Cup edition, Monterrey was part of a match with two long-range goals that decided the result. But that time, the plot was different in 2024, Columbus Crew used that exact weapon against Rayados and won the match. This time, Monterrey turned things around.
Forge tried to react but couldn't
The Canadians did have one gilt-edged chance to pull one back in the second half: the play was well worked out, the ball was delivered into the box, but the finishing touch was imprecise.
At the other end of the pitch, Luis Cárdenas was as solid as a rock in goal. He made the saves he had to, and for the first time this season, he finished a match with a clean sheet.
One step away from the next round
With this win, Monterrey has full control over their destiny. The return leg will go down in Mexico, where they hardly let such advantages slip through their hands. Forge FC will have to put a faultless performance and the kind of sharpness that they haven't shown so far in this tournament.
History is on Monterrey's side. Rayados have now scored in 20 consecutive Champions Cup matches-the longest active streak in the competition. These numbers don't come out of anywhere. They prove Monterrey knows exactly what it takes to compete at this level.