Monterrey scored a late goal that gave them a 1-0 win over the Pumas in the first leg of their quarterfinal series. The controversial goal derailed a very defensive plan by the Pumas, who still have the highest points total in all quarterfinal series. A win by any score would give the Pumas a ticket to the semi-final second leg, which will be played on Sunday at 12:00 p.m.

The first half began with the Pumas playing with a very defensive team led by Ignacio Pussetto. Monterrey competed with its usual team, except for the injured goalkeeper Esteban Andrada and the suspended Lucas Ocampos. Luis Cardenas and Jesus Corona each took their place. As expected, the Pumas sat back and defended from the start. A left-footed shot from Hector Moreno was deflected just wide of the goal. From outside the penalty area, Cesar Huerta shot with his right foot, forcing Cardenas to make a save. After a counterattack, Huerta got into the penalty area and fired a shot that forced Cardenas to make a save and the ball fell into the path of Jorge Ruvalcaba, whose shot went wide, wasting an incredible chance. After a free kick, Cardenas’ cross into the penalty area was cleared into the path of Ruvalaba, whose shot into the penalty area went wide of the goal. Huerta made a good move in the box to open himself up for a left-footed shot that went wide. Gerardo Arteaga headed a cross into the penalty area just wide of the goal from close range; it was the home team’s best chance to date. The half-time whistle blew and although they played defensively, the Pumas were the better team in the first 45 minutes.

The second half began with both teams playing with the same player they started the game with. A cross into the penalty area was headed just wide of the goal by German Berterame. A long ball into the penalty area found Corona, who fired a shot past Pumas goalkeeper Julio Gonzalez. The goal was ruled offside and although replays showed it was a close game, it was the right call. Pumas replaced Ignacio Pussetto and Jorge Ruvalcaba with Guillermo Martinez and Santiago Trigos. Monterrey replaced Oliver Torres for Brandon Vazquez. After a quick restart, Huerta got into the penalty area, but his left-footed shot went wide. Monterrey replaced Jesus Corona and Stefan Medina with Roberto de la Rosa and Erick Aguirre. Pumas replaced Piero Quispe for Pablo Monroy. A minute into his game, Monroy made a hard tackle on Iker Fimbres and received a yellow card after a terrible move by the substitute. Monterrey replaced German Berterame for Johan Rojas. After a counterattack, Rayados managed to get into the area where Pablo Bennevendo fell on the ball after a collision with Rojas and was judged to have touched the ball, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Although the PK appeared to be correct, a counterattack ensued that began with a clear foul on Huerta when Monterrey won the ball, although the decision stood and the PK stood. Sergio Canales stepped up for the PK and fired a strong left-footed shot past Gonzalez to score and give Monterrey a 1-0 lead. Huerta got into the penalty area, but his left-footed shot went wide. The game ended and Monterrey took the decisive victory at home.

The Pumas entered the first leg of their quarterfinal series with a defensive plan that they almost executed. A controversial play that led to a PK ended up being the difference as Rayados took a 1-0 lead in the second game. Although it should be a good result, the other results make it the closest series of all four quarterfinals. Due to the strange fact that not a single away team scored in their first leg games, the Pumas have the slimmest of margins to win with just one goal. Toluca trails 0-2 in their series against Club America, while Cruz Azul and Tigres each trail by 3 in their series. Pumas need a single goal and will have the added advantage of playing their game in the early hours of 12:00, but they will risk a counterattack against a Monterrey side who have a much better squad even if their record was worse than that of the Pumas. The Pumas will need a great game to get through and may regret not being able to hold on to the goalless draw at the end of the game.