MEXICO CITY, Feb 18 (Reuters) – Monterrey extended their winning streak to seven games on Saturday after beating Necaxa 2-1 on day eight of Mexico’s Clausura soccer tournament and cementing their lead with 21 points.
The Monterrey “Rayados”, who have not lost since January 7 when they fell 1-0 against Guadalajara, won their seventh victory thanks to goals from Argentinians Rogelio Funes Mori and Germán Berterame.
“It’s a reward for the effort and perseverance that the team has shown, with the dedication and mystique that is generated, that’s what I have to save,” said Monterrey technical director Víctor Manual Vucetich.
“We must continue to work to win games, seek to qualify for the league and hope for the championship. The team’s mystique and desire is evident in every game and we will continue with this motto,” he said. added.
In the match played at the BBVA Stadium in Monterrey, the home side took the lead after 60 minutes when Funes Mori completed a pass from Berterame in the penalty area.
Necaxa equalized at minute 73 via a penalty scored by Spaniard Edgar Méndez.
When it looked like the game would end in a tie, Monterrey took the win in the 92nd minute when Berterame headed into the corner from Omar Govea from the left wing.
In Saturday’s other fixtures, Guadalajara beat Pumas UNAM 2-1 as visitors with goals from Daniel Ríos and Carlos Cisneros. Argentinian Juan Ignacio Dinenno reduced for the Pumas.
Tigres UANL won 1-0 as visitors to Atlas with a goal from Argentine Nicolás Ibáñez.
Atlético de San Luis and Santos Laguna drew 1-1 with goals from Argentinians Mateo Klimowicz and Lucas González, respectively.
The day ends on Sunday when Querétaro takes on Mazatlán, América hosts Tijuana and champion Pachuca takes on Toluca.
At the start of the day, Cruz Azul picked up their first victory in the tournament on Friday after winning Puebla 3-1 as a visitor. The “Máquina Celeste” won the long-awaited victory four days after the dismissal of technical director Raúl “Potro” Gutiérrez and the appointment of Joaquín Moreno as interim coach.
In Friday’s other game, Bravos de Ciudad Juárez and León drew 0-0.
(Reporting by Carlos Calvo Pacheco)