Jesús Corona soared through the air to clear a ball into the area, however, he only made contact with Luis Romo's back without touching the ball
Cruz Azul escaped a penalty against them just seven minutes into the quarter-final first leg against Monterrey at the Estadio Azteca in an action where Jesús Corona brought down Luis Romo inside the box, a foul that, according to ESPN specialist Felipe Ramos Rizo, should have been penalized.
"Clear penalty by Corona at min. 7, not sanctioned by Víctor Cáceres @Rayados," the specialist wrote on his social media moments after the play occurred.
The action occurred in the 7th minute when Monterrey sent a cross from the right wing to the penalty spot of Cruz Azul's box, where Luis Romo was, who tried to head the ball but was brought down by Jesús Corona.
Luis Romo stayed down on the pitch while the Rayados players complained to referee Víctor Cáceres, who distanced himself from the players and put on the headset to hear what they were saying about the VAR.
The central referee took less than a minute to resume the match without sanctioning the penalty in favor of Monterrey, a team that, despite the ball already rolling on the Estadio Azteca's turf, continued with the complaints.
Gerardo Martino, once again at Estadio Azteca
Just like in the match between Cruz Azul and León, Gerardo Martino, coach of the Mexican National Team, was present at Estadio Azteca to witness the first leg of the quarter-finals between Cruz Azul and Monterrey, a match that started with five selected players on the field. Uriel Antuna and Carlos Rodríguez for La Máquina, and Héctor Moreno, Jesús Gallardo, and Luis Romo for the Rayados.
Three more players who were called up by Tata started on the bench: César Montes and Rogelio Funes Mori.