The Clausura and Campeón de Campeones titles signaled a clear change in Cruz Azul’s fortunes, and backup goalkeeper Andrés Gudiño continued that roll in the CCL semifinals at Estadio BBVA on Wednesday night to ensure that La Máquina stayed within striking distance of Rayados come the return leg at the Azteca on Sep. 16. Monterrey won 1-0, but that never really does seem like a good result in CONCACAF.
Especially since Monterrey could’ve buried Cruz Azul before then, but Rogelio Funes Mori’s record-setting goal for Rayados might never come.
⚽ ¡Tiro de Funes Mori y que bien responde Gudiño!
Rayados está encendido¡En vivo! https://t.co/OXlsUiM4ZH
#SCCL2021 pic.twitter.com/yuP9yON3lg
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) August 12, 2021
The difference on the night was provided by the connection between Carlos Rodríguez and Maxi Meza in the ninth-minute.
⚽ ¡Gooool de @Rayados!
⚽ ¡Gooool de @Rayados!
⚽ ¡Gooool de @Rayados!Maxi Meza gana la espalda a la defensa y abre el marcador¡En vivo! https://t.co/OXlsUiM4ZH
#SCCL2021 pic.twitter.com/GSrM0fR4fx
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) August 12, 2021
Gudiño kept Rayados from adding to that lead, most notably with this improbable stop that the referee thought could’ve only hit the crossbar and gone out.
¡Monumental atajada de Gudiño!
¡Le quitó el gol a Funes Mori!¡En vivo! https://t.co/OXlsUiM4ZH
#SCCL2021 pic.twitter.com/0snCx0kOb3
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) August 12, 2021
But Cabecita Rodríguez provided his moments for Cruz Azul — teeing up Juan Escobar and narrowly missing the target on a lob — and the second leg will be exactly what we want from the CCL.
