Guadalajara were aware that the only result they needed to keep their direct Liguilla aspirations alive was a win and they accomplished their mission, as they defeated Puebla 3-2 this Saturday night at the Akron Stadium, in a match corresponding to Matchday 14 of the Clausura 2024. With this result, Chivas moved into ninth place with 22 points, just 2 points behind the teams that qualify directly for the Quarter-Finals.
A special mention for Javier Hernández, as 'Chicharito' scored again with the Rebaño's jersey and did so in the same goal as when he opened the Akron more than 14 years ago. He was joined by Erick Gutiérrez and Roberto Alvarado, who scored the rest of the goals for Chivas.
The Rebaño's next matchday will be key, as they will visit Pachuca, a direct rival for a place in the Final Phase, next Saturday, April 13, at 5:00 PM at the Hidalgo Stadium.
The goals
-THE GOAL-SCORING DEBUT OF 'CHICHA'! It was at 33' that the Rojiblanca Fortress erupted with the goal of its prodigal son: Javier Hernández received inside the area from 'Piojo' Alvarado, controlled the ball, and, upon the goalkeeper's exit, scored a left-footed cross to score his first goal in his new stage with Chivas.
-Erick Gutiérrez headed the ball into the area and, after an excellent service from 'Nene' Beltrán, hammered the ball into the back of the goal at 56'.
-GO-LA-ZO FROM GUADALAJARA, CHIVAHERMANOS! The red-and-white triangulation was woven on the right that ended at the feet of Alvarado at 59', who let his left foot go to beat the goalkeeper and cause the Akron to erupt for the third time on the night.
-After a rebound inside the box, Diego De Buen scored La Franja's consolation goal at 88'.
-In stoppage time, Alberto Herrera brought the Puebla side closer again, closing the scoring from service from the right at 92'.
The danger
-CERRRRCA EL 'VAQUERO'! Just 3' into the game, 'Chicharito' cleverly played the post for Cade Cowell, who was one-on-one with the 'Spider' Rodríguez, but was unable to beat the goalkeeper's diving save.
-At 30', 'Piojo' Alvarado tried to surprise with a set piece on the right side. When everyone was waiting for the service to the pot, the player from Guanajuato looked for the lower left corner of the goal, demanding the goalkeeper's stretch.
-UUUUUUFFFF! Once again, Alvarado, with his left foot, broke free of the wall and was inches away from a great goal at 40'.
-With 64' on the clock, 'Cone' Brizuela tried a fancy one, rising in the air to scissor kick a rebound from the left that sailed over the crossbar.
Now, at 68', Pável Pérez appeared with a free kick in the half-moon of the area, which demanded the last kick from Rodríguez, who had to keep his hand out for a corner kick.
-Again Pável looked for the angle, this time in an individual play on the left, but he didn't have the positioning necessary to move the net.
-At 87', Ricardo Marín was presented with a chance when Yael Padilla's killer diagonal shot from the '4K' volleyed just over the Puebla goal.
Guadalajara 3-2 Puebla
(Javier Hernánez on 33', Erick Gutiérrez on 56' and Roberto Alvarado on 58')
(Diego De Buen at 88' and Alberto Herrera at 92')
Referee: Fernando Guerrero Ramírez
Akron Stadium
Line-ups
Guadalajara: 27 Raúl Rangel; 2 Alan Mozo (AM at 95'), 13 Gilberto Chiquete, 3 Gilberto Sepúlveda, 21 José Castillo; 15 Erick Gutiérrez, 20 Fernando Beltrán (31 Yael Padilla at 85'), 25 Roberto Alvarado (5 Víctor Guzmán at 73'); 16 Cade Cowell (6 Pável Pérez at 55'), 11 Isaac Brizuela (24 Carlos Cisneros at 73' (AM at 90')) and 14 Javier Hernández (C) (19 Ricardo Marín at 55').
D.T. Fernando Gago
Puebla: 30 Jesús Rodríguez; 3 Sebastián Olmedo, 4 Efraín Orona, 2 Gustavo Ferrareis (19 Ángel Robles at 68'), 26 Brayan Angulo (AM at 90'); 6 Pablo González (1 Fernando Navarro at 60'), 5 Diego De Buen, 20 Kevin Velasco (18 Luis García at 45'), 16 Alberto Herrera; 27 Miguel Sansores (28 Martín Barragán at 60'), 17 Santiago Ormeño (9 Lucas Cavallini at 68').
D.T. Andrés Carevic
