Guadalajara had another outstanding defensive performance to put another 0 in their goal and then knew how to strike at the right time to beat Mazatlán 2-0 this Saturday afternoon at the Akron Stadium, which was vibrant with their Rebaño in the match corresponding to the fourth date of the Apertura 2024.
Raúl Rangel and his defensive line were relentless in limiting the activity of the Cañoneros strikers, while Cade Cowell and Armando González were in charge of making their teammates' efforts count by scoring the goals that sealed the Rojiblanco triumph.
Next up for Mexico's most popular and beloved team will be their Leagues Cup debut against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, July 27 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The goals:
- GOOOLLLAAAZZZOOO!!!! Cade opened the scoring at 51' with an individual genius, as he shook off the marking of 3 defenders with a cut inside and when he entered the area he shot a right-footed shot that hit the right post; a shot that was impossible to save.
- La 'Hormiga' González, who had only been on the field for a few minutes, showed his goal-scoring instinct to extend the Chiverío's lead at 79', after he appeared at just the right moment to deflect a low shot from 'Pocho' Guzmán and sent the ball into the back of the net.
Danger!
- at 22', Rubén González put a pass between the lines that would leave 'Chicharito' with an advantage in front of goal, but the opposing goalkeeper anticipated in the right way to take the ball.
- At 27' Mateo Chávez tried his luck from long distance, the defense cut the shot and the rebound was left in the front zone to Cade Cowell who shot first time, but deflected.
- At 45'+5', Cowell left his marker at speed and when he reached the back line, he put in a cross that 'Chicharito' headed, but the goalkeeper saved the powerful shot with his right foot.
- At 47', the 'Bear' appeared at the far post to take a corner kick, but with no direction to the goal.
- At 53' Cowell pulled the trigger from the left corner of the six-yard box, but his shot went just over the goal.
- At 60', Amarilla escaped unmarked towards the Red-and-White goal, but 'Tala' Rangel was able to save the Mazatleco's shot with an extraordinary save.
Guadalajara 2-0 Mazatlan FC
(Cade Cowell at 51' and Armando González at 79')
Referee: Óscar Mejía García
Akron Stadium
Lineups:
Guadalajara: 1 Raúl Rangel; 2 Alan Mozo, 3 Gilberto Sepúlveda, 13 Gilberto Chiquete (AM at 45'+3)'(5 Víctor Guzmán at 45'+3'), 50 Mateo Chávez, 28 Rubén González, 15 Érick Gutiérrez, 20 Fernando Beltrán (7 Omar Govea at 80'), 16 Cade Cowell (21 José Castillo at 80'), 25 Roberto Alvarado (AM at 56')(29 Fidel Barajas at 80') and 14 Javier Hernández (34 Armando González at 66').
Coach Fernando Gago.
Mazatlán FC: 13 Hugo González, 15 Bryan Colula (AM at 90'+3'), 3 Luis Sánchez, 31 Ventura Alvarado, 4 Jair Díaz, 17 Jesús Escoboza (20 Ramiro Árciga at 71'), 18 Eduardo Torres, 6 Roberto Meraz, 11 Yoel Bárcenas (AM at 41')(9 Brian Rubio at 82'), 7 Luis Amarilla and 32 Gustavo del Prete (AM at 9').
Coach Víctor Vucetich.
