Bravos snatch draw against Cruz Azul
Los Celestes thought they had won it, but Darwin Machís levelled in the last minute of stoppage time from the penalty spot.
In the first Cruzazuleada of the Apertura 2022, Cruz Azul came back after going two goals down to the Bravos de Juárez in Week 12 of the campaign. Michael Estrada and Gonzalo Carneiro scored for the visitors, while Darío Lezcano and Darwin Machís replied for the locals.
During the first few minutes, Hernán Cristante’s team had control of the ball but couldn’t make their domination count in attack. The Bravos entire gameplan went out of the window when Javier Salas was sent off on four minutes for clipping midfielder Erik Lira .
The numerical advantage was well used by the visitors who later took control of the ball. In minute 39, striker Gonzalo Carneiro was brought down inside the area by Matías García, but the referee considered that there was no penalty; however, after VAR reviewing the move, a spot-kick was awarded, which Michael Estrada coverted.
After taking the lead, Raúl Gutiérrez’s side defended well and maintained their intensity. Just when it looked like the first half would end with just the one goal separating the two teams, Gonzalo Carneiro surprised the locals’ defence to make it 0-2 on the whistle.
After the break, Juárez advanced their lines and despite having one less player they controlled the ball and dominated their rivals during numerous periods. In minute 86, Paraguayan forward Darío Lezacano took advantage of a poor clearance by Jesús Corona and closed the gap with a header to make it 1-2.
In injury-time, full-back Jaiber Jiménez kicked Lezcano in an attempt to clear the ball inside the area and a penalty was awarded. Darwin Machis fired high into the net past Jesús Corona to make it 2-2.
The result puts Cruz Azul on 12 points and in 14th position in the table, while the Bravos are one point and two places ahead on 13 points. In the mid-week fixtures, Cruz Azul travel to Rayados Monterrey while Ciudad Juárez visit León.