Chivas and Monterrey played out an entertaining 1-1 draw on Saturday night in Liga MX play that stretched Rayados' winless streak in the league to 10 games. There were no fans allowed due to coronavirus concerns in what led to a strange setting that was completely different than the previous day when fans were allowed in top flight matches in the country.
Chivas entered the game on a three-match winning streak and poised to climb the table, but Antonio Mohamed's team improved as the match went on in the second half and was unfortunate not to take all three points in the end after coming close numerous times while seeing the ref disallow a late goal.
Chivas got on the board just 20 minutes in with this goal from Jesus Molina, who has now scored in back-to-back matches:
That lead stood for 50 minutes, but in the second half Monterrey was the far better team, causing Chivas problems at the back. That eventually saw Jesus Gallardo make a brilliant run into the box before firing home a powerful equalizer 70 minutes in:
Monterrey didn't seem satisfied with a point, and it's hard to blame them after becoming bottom-dwellers on the table immediately after winning the Apertura title. Los Rayados went for the winner and came close on numerous occasions, with Cesar Montes even finding the back of the net five minutes after the equalizer. The ref initially looked like he gave the goal but then called it back and made Monterrey retake it. It appeared as if he didn't blow the whistle to indicate that Monterrey could take the free kick, but he also wasn't prompt to call it off right when it was taken which led to plenty of confusion:
With the goal disallowed, Monterrey didn't let up and almost won it thanks to Maxi Meza in the 92nd minute. The Argentine winger connected well on a low shot that rocked off the lower part of the post and out:
Unlucky for the visitors, but a solid result in the end for Chivas, which moves into fourth place with that point. Meanwhile, for Monterrey, it settled for its fifth draw of the season, but is only nine points back of a playoff spot with seven games to go.
⚽ Chivas -- Jesus Molina (20')
⚽ Monterrey -- Jesus Gallardo (70')
That was a wild one. Really unlucky for Monterrey. Played well enough to take the three points but were denied by the ref, the post and the opposing goalkeeper. That's now 10 games without a win as the pressure has to be mounting on Antonio Mohamed. For Chivas, the win was there for the taking, but a point isn't bad in the end.
It's over. A point for both. Los Rayados still without a win after 10 league games. A decent point in the end for this Chivas team considering Monterrey's late dominance and fortunate call to deny the second goal.
Chance, after chance, after chance. It's been a great final 20 minutes for the visitors. One more chance to come.
180 seconds to go!
Monterrey nearly takes it in the final minute of regulation. It's a brilliant curled shot from Daniel Parra that just zips right by the post. It looked headed into the upper corner.
A handful of minutes remaining, but Monterrey seems most likely to score out of anybody. The team is looking quick and confident in search of one more golden chance.
Cesar Montes puts the ball away with a header on a set piece, but the ref says no goal! Looks like they didn't wait for his whistle. Still 1-1.
Gracious! Jesus Gallardo with a beautiful strike! He cuts inside on his defender and just puts a rocket past the goalkeeper at the right post.
It's a fine run down the left from J.J. Macias, and he goes at his defender, cuts inside and fires but it goes well over.
Oh, that's a delightful hit from Layun. He cuts towards the top of the box and hits a strike with force that has some movement as it approaches the back post, but it goes just wide!
It's a fantastic volley from Antuna, and it has a ton of pace, but it goes right at Barovero, who saves it well.
The play has improved early in the second half for the visitors. A bit more attacking intent is evident. Pabon has had a good look at the ball movement is much better.
The second half has begun as Monterrey looks to get its attack going.
It's Chivas 1, Monterrey 0 at the break thanks to Jesus' Molina's first-half goal.
Fine free kick chance here for the hosts ... and it's wasted wit a curling shot that goes way over the goal.
The Mexican international tries a powerful strike from range that Antonio knocks over the bar with a fine diving effort.
Pabon gets into the left side of the box, turns and plays a ball high to Layun at the other side, and Chivas reacts well enough to prevent a shot.
The hosts are comfortable up 1-0 and playing the ball around well but the visitors aren't quite on the same page. Pabon playing a bit too physical, and Los Rayados are just out of sync.
The hosts are in front! It's a wild sequence off a corner kick which sees Barovero make a really good save at the near post on a header from Molina, but Molina gets the rebound and puts it away! 1-0!
Jose Rodriguez snags the ball after an initial header, and it's no trouble in the end for Chivas.
Layun is taken down towards the corner of the box, and the ref calls it ... though it took a while. Good free kick here possibly for Pabon. Better set up for a cross and not a shot.
Quality defending in the early going as we await our first shot on goal. Dorlan Pabon does well to put a solid ball into the box, but Jose Rodriguez snags it in the air with little trouble.
This match hasn't quite settled down. It's a frantic pace, and it' a tad sloppy. Not super crisp in the early going.
The match has begun!
The teams are ready, the coaches greet each other with a little elbow bump and here we go!
Monterrey announces their starting XI just moments before kickoff.
