We tried and with the support of the Rojiblanca Nation, we did it! Guadalajara worked the match very intelligently to defeat Toluca 1-0 in the first leg of the Quarterfinals of the 2024 Clausura Tournament, with a deafening Akron Stadium playing its part during the 90-plus minutes of the match.
Chivas came up against a Diablos team that came out to speculate with the tie, derived from the advantage given to them by their position in the general standings, which is why they opted for deep strikes in search of hurting Guadalajara’s defense. However, Fernando Gago's men put in another solid defensive performance and from that point on, they built on their initiative and ball possession to take the match to a successful conclusion, until they got their deserved reward for their efforts in the final stretch of the match.
The outcome of the series will take place this Saturday, May 11 at 8:10 PM at Estadio Nemesio Diez, where we are sure that the ChivaHermanos will be present to support Mexico's most popular and beloved team.
The goal
-THE REBAÑO DESERVED IT ALL GAME LONG AND FOUND IT IN THE END! At 85', Cade Cowell recovered the ball on the flank and then put in a cross to the far post that Volpi deflected slightly, but the ball fell to 'Piojo' Alvarado, who put the ball to 'Pocho' Guzmán, who, without thinking twice, unleashed an untouchable shot that went into the upper right-hand corner of the visitors' goal.
Dangerous shots
-At 35', 'Cone' Brizuela put the Scarlets' goal at risk with a cross from the right that he closed to the near post and required Volpi's intervention to prevent it from becoming the first goal of the match.
-One play later, 'Nene' Beltrán tried his luck with a powerful volley from outside the area, which ended up over the Toluqueña goal.
-CEEEERRRCAAAA! Pável Pérez sent in a header from the left looking for 'Chicharito', but the Mexican defender's intervention almost sent the ball into the back of his own net at 38'.
-The first of the second half was for 'Nene' at 46', who in a great collective play was in front of the goal and didn't hesitate to pull the trigger with first intention; only a sweep by the defense prevented it from ending up in the back of the Choricero goal.
-At 51', 'Chicharito' had a chance when he beat the back of the defense and shot quickly across Volpi, but before that, the Red and White attacker was flagged for offside.
-HOW GREAT, 'CASTI'! The Diablos' attacker was on his own against 'Tala' Rangel, but when it looked like he was about to shoot inside the box, an excellent recovery by José Castillo prevented the Mexican player from sending the ball into the back of his own net at 53'.
-The Akron exploded at 70' with a tremendous long pass from Erick Gutiérrez to the left that Pável received at the entrance to the six yard box and in an attempt to clear the ball, the defender bounced the ball into their own goal, but the VAR signaled a handball in the reception of Guadalajara’s number 6.
Guadalajara 1-0 Toluca
(Víctor Guzmán at 85')
Referee: Oscar Mejía García
Akron Stadium
Line ups
Guadalajara: 27 Raúl Rangel; 2 Alan Mozo, 13 Gilberto Chiquete, 3 Gilberto Sepúlveda, 21 José Castillo; 15 Erick Gutiérrez (AM at 95'), 20 Fernando Beltrán, 25 Roberto Alvarado; 6 Pável Pérez (16 Cade Cowell at 80'), 11 Isaac Brizuela (5 Víctor Guzmán at 68') and 14 Javier Hernández (C) (19 Ricardo Marín at 68').
Coach: Fernando Gago
Toluca: 1 Tiago Volpi; 6 Andrés Pereira, 17 Brian García (AM at 82'), 24 Juan Escobar, 8 Carlos Orrantia (14 Marcel Ruiz at 87'); 5 Tomás Belmonte , 7 Juan Domínguez (11 Maximiliano Araujo at 74'), 10 Jesús Angulo (19 Edgar López at 74'), 16 Jean Meneses, 23 Claudio Baeza (C); 25 Alexis Vega.
Coach: Renato Alves
