By AVI CREDITOR
Sergio Santana's goal in the 57th minute was the difference, as Monterrey held serve at home and defeated Cruz Azul, 2-1, in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League semifinal Wednesday night.
Monterrey's Neri Cardozo opened the scoring in the ninth minute, but Cruz Azul's Adrian Cortes answered off a free kick just minutes into the second half to give his side a crucial away goal. Santana gave Monterrey the slight edge by heading home the eventual match-winner just eight minutes later.
The two sides meet again on April 6 at Estadio Azul to determine who will meet either Real Salt Lake or C.D. Saprissa in the final. The MLS side carries a 2-0 edge into their return leg.
Highlights from the match and a few more stories from around the soccer world are after the jump:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brKueg6ZujY]
FERDINAND COULD BE OUT FOR SEASON
Manchester United could be without starting centerback Rio Ferdinand for the remainder of the season as he continues to be unable to shake a lingering calf injury.
Ferdinand isn't the only defender not available for the Premier League leaders, though. Nemanja Vidic, Rafael and John O'Shea are also out. Rafael is expected to miss 2-to-3 weeks after getting injured in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League victory over Marseille, and O'Shea will miss the next five weeks with a hamstring injury.
Patrice Evra, Fabio, Chris Smalling and Wes Brown are currently the only fit defenders for the Red Devils.
LEHMANN SIGNS WITH ARSENAL
Jens Lehmann has come out of retirement to sign with Arsenal for the remainder of the season.
The 41-year-old goalkeeper provides cover behind Manuel Almunia, as Lukasz Fabianksi and Wojciech Szczesny are both on the shelf with injuries.
Lehmann retired from playing after last season, which he spent with Stuttgart. He was with Arsenal from 2003-2008.
RANGNICK NAMED SCHALKE COACH
Ralf Rangnick has signed a deal that will make him Schalke's head coach through the 2014 season.
Rangnick takes over for Felix Magath, who was fired this past week after a tumultuous campaign that has seen the German side struggle in league play but reach the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
LIBERTAD THROUGH TO LIBERTADORES KNOCKOUT ROUND
Paraguayan club Libertad is the first team through to the Copa Libertadores knockout stage after a 1-0 victory over San Martin on Tuesday. With two group matches remaining, Libertad is seven points clear of third-place Once Caldas.
Also of note in the tournament, Cruzeiro continued its impressive group stage showing by posting six goals on Tolima in a 6-1 victory Wednesday night. The Brazilian side sits atop Group 7 with 10 points through four games and has scored 15 goals while only yielding one.
Also on Wednesday: Colo Colo topped Santos, 3-2, in a Group 5 matchup; Defending champion Internacional and Emelec kept pace with each other atop Group 6, as Inter routed Wilstermann, 4-1, and Emelec blanked Chiapas, 1-0.
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Who do you think will advance from the all-Mexican CCL semifinal? Do you think MUFC is in trouble? Can you see Lehmann contributing to Arsenal this season? Can you see Jermaine Jones returning to Schalke now that Magath is gone? What stands out for you from the latest Copa Libertadores results?
Share your thoughts below.
I’m very interested in seeing RSL play Monterrey. A real test for an MLS team that can sure play at home. That is a difference not all MLS teams can account for.
Sure, Mexican teams may not get phased by the alltitude. That said, RSL, will have to get at least a 2 – 0 goal difference at home. Because they will have to defend with their lives to oust Monterrey.
you’re not your
Your wrong, I never underestimate teams not in this sport you don’t.
Monterrey is looking good, but they have yet to face a defense like RSL. The 2nd Legs will be interesting. CA is not done yet and I would count out Saprissa either.
Well I’ll give credit to RSL if they can hold a scoreless half against Monterrey, but I dont think they can stop a constant thru balls and long range shots thruought the whole 180 minutes. Walter Ayovi has an impressive long range shot while Cardozo’s speed and skill penetrates virtually any defense it faces alongside Martinez. Suazo and De Nigris have both earned plenty of respect in Mexico, they are a Huge part of The Rayados winning 2 championships in the past 4 seasons in Mexico. RSL migh put up a fight but Monterrey is 4x the team in every category. I’m not bashing on MLS but I dont think RSL has what it takes to beat Monterrey.
I don’t think you’re giving a full strength RSL defense enough credit. Russell, Borchers, Olave and Wingert is a tough defense by themselves. That’s not even mentioning Beckerman shielding the backline and Rimando in goal.
Monterrey is definitely winning the CCL, this team can go from one side of the field to the other with 3 pefectly placed passes along with their speed and technical skill, not to mention Cardozo and Suazo… this team is pretty amazing. Cruz Azul was lucky to have an exceptional keeper like Corona otherwise this game would have ended 5-1. Regardless of who ever wins between Saprissa and RSL Monterrey is going to win this thing without any problems.
I see monterrey winning this. They will tie againts cruz azul in the second leg 0-0 or 1-1. Beautiful goal of Monterrey. Monterrey still remains unbeaten. Monterrey beat saprissa with subs and tie at there home 2-2 with subs.
Hahaha…
+1
Why Lehman? Wasn’t Seaman available?