Mexican Soccer: Toluca Defeats Santos Laguna 2-1

Once again, with flashes of association football, efficiency in the first 45 minutes, and despite suffering in the second half, Toluca's Red Devils claimed their third victory of the tournament, defeating Santos Laguna 2-1. The latter had a notable reaction, but it was not enough to earn points in the state capital.

With this result, Toluca reaches 9 points and returns to the top positions in the general standings, while Santos stays with 4 points outside the playoff zone.

Changes in the Devil's Lineup

Nacho Ambriz made three modifications to his starting eleven for this match. Jordan Sierra appeared in the holding midfield in place of the suspended Claudio Baeza, Marcel Ruiz returned as a right midfielder, and Camilo Sanvezzo replaced Carlos González in the attacking midfield.

For Santos, Eduardo Fentanes' team arrived at the Nemesio Diez stadium with the best of their squad, including goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo, defender Félix Torres, midfielder Fernando Gorriarán, and attacker Eduardo Aguirre.

Early Goal Again

The Devils were coming off a defeat against América and their intention was to return to the path of victory, which is why they launched an attack from the initial whistle.

The scarlet team's intention was to score within the first 10 minutes, just like in their previous three games, so they besieged the visitors' goal until they achieved their objective.

In the 7th minute, there was a wall pass in the area, a play that left Leo Fernández with a chance to cross, sending the ball to the arrival of Fernando Navarro, who couldn't finish because he received a tackle from Isaac Rodríguez.

The referee, Diego Montaño, awarded a penalty, which was taken by Leo Fernández with his left foot, low and close to the right post, completely fooling goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo for the 1-0.

Toluca extended their lead with dominance of the game, maintaining possession of the ball and generating more chances. In the 15th minute, Jean Meneses tested from outside the box, but the goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo deflected it.

In the 22nd minute, Santos' goalkeeper prevented another goal, winning a one-on-one against Jean Meneses.

However, in the 24th minute, he couldn't do much against Toluca's exhibition of association football.

The 2-0 came from a play that started with Marcel Ruiz on the left, passing it to Camilo Sanvezzo, who set up the unmarked arrival of Jean Meneses in front of goalkeeper Acevedo. Meneses decided to pass the ball to Jordan Sierra, who pushed it into the net for the 2-0.

The Mexicans did not satisfy their goal ambitions, as they continued to search for more but were not effective.

In the 41st minute, Toluca launched a counterattack, sending up to four players into the box, but Jean Meneses resolved with a shot to the near post that went wide. Then, in the 44th minute, Valbert Huerta shot from outside the box, but Acevedo deflected the ball.

Santos' Consolation Goal

In the second half, Santos hinted at a comeback, but without the necessary depth to unsettle goalkeeper Tiago Volpi. Toluca slowed down, choosing to defend but not giving up on the attack.

Coach Eduardo Fentanes made changes to his lineup with the additions of Leonardo Suárez, Marcelo Correa, Jordan Carrillo, and Jaír González.

The modifications pushed Santos' lines forward, but without major consequences for the scoreline. In the 68th minute, Eduardo Aguirre had a one-on-one opportunity but lost to goalkeeper Tiago Volpi, who was left with an injured left hand.

Then, in the 74th minute, Leo Suarez set up Aguirre, who shot wide. That was just a warning of what was to come a minute later, when Santos finally translated their reaction into a goal.

It came from a corner kick to the far post, where Hugo Rodríguez appeared and headed the ball. Goalkeeper Tiago Volpi tried to keep the ball out, but it had already crossed the goal line, making it 2-1.

The goal finally woke up the Devils, who brought in Carlos González and Sebastián Saucedo to revive their attack.

In the 81st minute, Leo Fernández dribbled the ball and took a powerful shot that goalkeeper Acevedo saved, but left the ball loose, right where Carlos González appeared completely unmarked. However, his shot went over Santos' goal.

In the end, Toluca kept the ball away from their goal and secured their third victory of the tournament, while Santos suffered their second defeat of the semester.