Cruz Azul vs Pachuca final score: Tuzos edge Los Cementeros, 1-0, despite three red cards
By Josh Sanchez
Cruz Azul played host to Pachuca on Saturday evening at Estadio Azul in Ciudad de México, Distrito Federal, Mexico. The match was one of the first of a busy five-match schedule on Saturday in Liga MX, as the 2014 Apertura kicks into full swing.
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When the final whistle blew on Saturday, it was Pachuca who was able to come away with the hard fought 1-0 win.
Tuzos got on the scoreboard early thanks to the right foot of Matías Alustiza, who beat Los Cementeros goalie Oscar Pérez to the bottom right corner from the center of the box. The goal came in the 13th minute.
The goal from Alustiza was all Pachuca needed to carry the lead late into the match.
Things began to get heated throughout the second half, however, with Tuzos picking up multiple yellow cards despite hanging on to the lead. Daniel Arreola picked up a yellow in the 46th minute, before Jorge Daniel Hernández was shown the yellow card just ten minutes later.
In the 69th minute, Los Cementeros picked up their first yellow thanks to Gerardo Torrado.
With time beginning to wind down in the match, Cruz Azul caught a break when Hernandez was booked with a red card and sent off of the pitch.
Six minutes later, Tuzos lost another player when defender Daniel Arreola Arguello was sent off with a red.
Down two men, Cruz Azul had a great opportunity to find the back of the net for the equalizer. It didn’t get any better for Pachuca as they looked to hang on to the lead, as Miguel Herrera was the latest Tuzos player to be sent off.
Tuzos were playing on their heels as Cruz Azul kept the pressure on, but the defense was hanging tough and not allowing Los Cementeros attack to break through. It was quite the feat for a team that was down three players.
Ultimately, Pachuca was able to hang on for the big win to start their 2014 Apertura campaign off on the right foot.
While this evening’s game is in the books, we still have a full night of action ahead in Liga MX.
8:00 p.m. | Monterrey – Leones Negros | Univision Deportes
9:06 p.m. | Leon – America | Telemundo
10:00 p.m. | Atlas – Tigres | Univision Deportes
Be sure to stay tuned to FanSided.com throughout the 2014 Liga MX Apertura for the latest news and results.