Monterrey 3-0 Cruz Azul summary: score, goals, highlights, Liga MX Apertura 2022

Monterrey march on!

The whistle sounds and Monterrey march on at the expense of a valiant Cruz Azul side.

Monterrey seal it in time added on

Gallardo it was with the goal to cement a fine night for the side from Monterrey

and its 3-0

Rayados just playing for time now with he Funes Mori goal sealing their passage into the Apertura 2022 semi-final.

Into the final minutes of the game we go and every credit to Cruz Azul who never threw the towel in tonight and fought right to the end. 

Monterrey have been good without being great. 

Rayados make it 2-0

Dangerous free for Monterrey as Escoboza fouls on the edge of the area with the clock ticking towards the 90 minute mark.

The ball is in the back of the Cruz Azul net but Funes Mori was inches offside.

VAR being consulted....

Ten minutes left at the BBVA Bancomer stadium and once again Andrada is the hero for the home side as he smothers just as Carneiro was about to pounce.

The post too comes to Monterrey's help as Rodo smacks the ball off the woodwork with a fine strike.

Double change for Cruz Azul

Sub Aguirre carded as he clips Rivero

Another Rayados switch as Vegas replaces Montes

Card for Andrada now for time wasting.

Antuna is through on goal but once again, Andrada is level to the challenge and saves well. The Argentine is looking invincible this evening in the Rayados goal.

Erick Aguirre on for goal scorer Bertarame

Twenty minutes left for Cruz Azul to find two goals but something tells me that it's not set to be their night.

Funes Mori is on ! 

The striker replaces Aguirre with Argentine defender Kranevitter on for Pizarro.

Pizarro leaves the pitch on a medical cart and seems to have developed a muscular problem in the calf. 

Cruz Azul's build up play is excellent, patient and accurate...but ..the final ball is a speculative hoof into the box and each delivery is way too easy for the Monterrey defenders to deal with.

Approaching the hour mark and Cruz Azul have yet to throw in the towel as they launch wave after wave of attack. 

Monterrey look solid but their game plan has changed after the goal.

Change for Cruz Azul as Rodo comes on for Tabo.

Gonzalez (Rayados) carded for dangerous play.

Cruz Azul are getting closer to bagging the equaliser their play is deserving of. A glancing header from Micheal almost nestles in the back of Andrada's net

Cruz Azul making their intentions clear in the opening five minutes of the half as they are really throwing everything at Rayados. Gaps are appearing however at the Cruz Azul rear guard and Monterrey will look to exploit that space on the counter.

Bright start from Cruz Azul as they work the ball into a dangerous position but are unable to break down the men in blue and white stripes. 

Free for La Maquina and it's certainly within range as Rodriguez shoots, the ball is then fired back on target and Andrada pulls off a fine save to keep the tie at 1-0.

Off we go, the second half is up and running as Monterrey start the action.

Change for Cruz Azul at the break as Huescas is replaced by No. 7 Antuna.

What can Cruz Azul deliver in the second 45'? The side from the capital will need an early goal to keep their hopes alive and ensure that the game doesn't slip away with another goal for the home side, very much game, set and match for Rayados.

Monterrey lead at the break

Cruz Azul face an uphill battle to keep their season alive, with La Maquina now needing two goals against a comfortable looking Monterrey side.

We've had two minutes of time added on as the match official eventually does call time on the action.

Last minute of the half and it's just not going Cruz Azul's way as their final ball is their undoing. A couple of scares and a half chance or two for the visitors but one senses that Rayados are very comfortable with the way the game is going.

With Cruz Azul forced to press, they are leaving gaps at the back and Rayados can counter with ease as the clock ticks down towards the interval.

...and despite the adverse scoreline for the side from the capital, it's Cruz Azul who dominate in terms of possession.

Monterrey have pushed that little bit back and Cruz Azul are laying siege to the home goal with the home side struggling to get any decent spells of possession together.

An ariel route to goal seems to be the main route for Cruz Azul as a corner almost creeps in. A solid spell from the Cementeros now as the knock on the door. 

Cruz Azul forging looking for a leveller as Andrada is called upon to save well from a Rodriguez header from close range,

Tonight's stadium, the impressive Estadio BBVA Bancomer is one of the three Mexican grounds that will host games at the 2026 World Cup along with the Azteca in CDMX and the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara.

Rayados almost make it 2-0 as Pizarro pulls a shot just wide from inside the 6 yard box. The fans at the BBVA Bancomer seem to have found their voice too as the up the volume with their chants.

Cruz Azul looking for a way back now as they enjoy a solid spell of possession. 

The empty seats seemed to have filled up a little now with the stadium looking the better for it. 

Play held up as Rayados keeper Andrada gets medical attention after a bad fall.

Rayados take the lead

A hard task for Cruz Azul just got that little bit harder with the visitors now needing two goals.

Cruz Azul go close !

A great break by La Maquina and Romero send the ball inches wide of Andrada's goal with the keeper well beaten.

Cruz Azul far from awed by the occasion with the visiting side playing the better football as we pass the quarter of an hour mark.

Estrada looks to have picked up a knock and as a precautionary measure, Cruz Azul subs go through a warm up drill in case the striker needs to be switched.

Rayados go close as Cruz Azul keeper Corona does well in saving from a decent header from Ortiz will the ball destined for the corner of the Cruz Azul net. 

Corner for the home side and the ball falls to Aguirre who attempts a spectacular bicycle kick but sends the ball high behind the Cruz Azul goal.

Romo indeed carded for the earlier incident as Pizarro almost latches onto a through ball as Rayados look to strike for the first time tonight.

All the early pressure coming from Cruz Azul and disappointing to see plenty of empty seats at the BBVA Bancomer stadium for such a key fixture.

A bright sunny day in Monterrey with a temperature of 30C/ 86F as Romo and Tabó tangle and the ref awards a free for the side from Mexico City.

Early pressure from Cruz Azul with the visitors in all blue tonight.

We're underway at the Estadio BBVA Bancomer...

Monterrey in their classic dark blue and white striped shirts tonight with blue shorts and red socks.

A word of support from Rotterdam for La Maquina

Santiago Gimenez will be tuning in tonight to see how his former side get on in Monterrey!

Just minutes away from the second leg of the Apertura 2022 quarter-final with most observers favouring the home side to advance but fans of 'La Maquina' confident that their side can create an upset.

Cruz Azul warm up

The visiting side go through their warm-up routine as fans start to make their way into the 53,000 capacity Estadio BBVA Bancomer, which has one of the most spectacular views in world football.

A place on the bench for Funes Mori tonight with the Argentine born having pulled on the Monterrey shirt over 225 times. The 31-year-old is still hoping to be on the plane to Qatar when Mexico manager Tata Martino names his squad for the World Cup.

A draw would suit the home side tonight with anything but a win for Cruz Azul good enough for the home side to progress with both quarter and semi-finals being resolved with the highest placed team in the regular season advancinbg in case of a tie over the two legs. 

In the regular season, Monterrey came second in the table with 10 wins, 5 draws and just 2 losses (the lowest amount in the Apertura 2022 regular season)

Cruz Azul came 7th and a solid end to the campaign saw their overalls stats as: W 7, D 3, L 7.

Rayados XI confirmed

Monterrey head coach Vucetich has named his eleven player ahead of tonight's second leg employing a 4-4-2 formation. Berterame and Aguirre are set to lead the line for the home side.

Rayados XI confirmed

Monterrey head coach has named his eleven player ahead of tonight's second leg employing a 4-4-2 formation. Berterame and Aguirre are set to lead the line for the home side.

Rayados on a roll

The Monterrey side remain unbeaten at home in their past 15 games and are unbeaten in seven in their past Liga MX contests. 

Cruz Azul's last defeat, incidentally came at tonight's venue with La Maquina falling 3-2 back in early September.

Cruz Azul XI named

Raul Gutierrez has named his side that will do battle in Monterrey with all eyes on Charly Rodriguez as the striker faces his former club. Veteran keeper Corona captains the side as they look to defy the odds and advance to the semi-final stage of the competition.

Liga MX Apertura semi-finals

There is no let-up in the action with the names of the four semi-finalists to be resolved this weekend with the semi-final games set to take place next mid-week (first leg) and the second legs top be staged on 22/23 October.

The kick-off times and dates will be confirmed on Monday by Liga MX.

'La Maquina' looking for double figures

La Máquina have their own reasons for booking a place in the semis - they have their hearts set on clinching La Décima, to join América, Guadalajara and Toluca as the only clubs to have won 10 or more titles.

There will be a cosy feeling of déjà-vu for hosts Monterrey when they welcome Cruz Azul to Guadalupe to decide their 2022 Apertura quarter-final. They were in an almost identical situation three years ago, and ended up advancing to the final and winning it in dramatic fashion on penalties to clinch the title for the fifth time.

But Cruz Azul are not a side to be underestimated - as Rayados boss Víctor Manuel Vucetich knows from the team’s meetings with them this year in his second spell in charge. Both teams ended on 10 men in January’s clash which finished 2-2 thanks to a César Montes’ equaliser deep into stoppage-time. Monterrey edged last month’s meeting 3-2 while the most recent encounter, Wednesday’s first leg, was a tense affair and not without controversy. Rayados keeper Jesús Corona came racing off his line to punch away a centre but missed the ball and clashed with Rodrigo Aguirre. A VAR review ruled out a penalty.

Tonight's game is the first of the four quarter-final games with the following three coming up:

America - Puebla (6-1 from first leg).

On Sunday:

Pachuca - Tigres (0-1 first leg lead for Tigres)

Santos Lauguna - Toluca (Toluca hold a 4-3 first leg lead)

Rayados-Cruz Azul: match official

Overseeing Monterrey vs Cruz Azul quarter-final return leg will be Adonai Escobedo González. He will be assisted by linesmen Alberto Morín Méndez and Michel Alejandro Morales, while the fourth official will be Diego Montaño Robles. Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava will be the video assistant referee.

Monterrey vs Cruz Azul: last five meetings

October 2022: Cruz Azul 0-0 Monterrey

September 2022: Monterrey 3-2 Cruz Azul

January 2022: Monterrey 2-2 Cruz Azul

November 2021: Cruz Azul 1-4 Monterrey

September 2021: Cruz Azul 1-4 Monterrey

Cruz Azul arrive

The members of 'La Maquina' have arrived at the Estadio BBVA Bancomer with just over an hour to kick-off

Monterrey dressing room is ready

The blue and white striped shirts are pride of place in the home dressing room at the Estadio BBVA Bancomer with today's match shirts featuring pink numbers and the pink ribbon with the club celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The action kicks-off at 19:06 (local time) or 8:06 pm (ET). For fans in Europe, the action gets underway on Sunday morning at 01:06 CEST.

Hello and welcome to our live Liga MX coverage as the first of the second leg quarter-finals take place as Monterrey face Cruz Azul.