The Argentine Germán Berterame, who seeks to earn merits to play with Mexico in the next World Cup, scored a goal to give the Monterey of Sergio Ramos a 1-0 victory over Tolucain the semifinal of the Mexican soccer Apertura. In the first leg, the Rayados defended well in the second half and put the balance of the series in their favor because to qualify they only need to draw next Saturday in the second leg.
The royals came out to impose conditions in their stadium against a Toluca weakened in attack due to the absence of Mexican forward Alexis Vega, one of the offensive spark plugs of Argentine coach Antonio Mohamed’s team.
Sergio Canales disputes a ball with Juan Pablo Domínguez (Toluca)
The Mexican Nicolás Castro created danger for the Diablos in the 16th minute and the Portuguese Paulinho did so in the 33rd, after which the Rayados of Spanish strategist Domenec Torrent were better. Jesús Corona shot on goal in the 38th minute, goalkeeper Hugo González stopped his attack but a minute later Berterame accepted a ball in the area and headed the score to 1-0.
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Toluca was better in the second half, in which goalkeeper Luis Cárdenas became a hero, saving his team through shots from Paulinho, twice, from Castro and from the Argentine Santiago Simón. The Devils persisted in their search for a goal and in the 86th minute they were close to equalizing again with a shot by Marcel Ruiz crashing into the post. The ball bounced and Cárdenas appeared again to, with the help of defender Ricardo Chávez, keep the goal clean.
The return duel will be played in Toluca next Saturday, when the Rayados will have to show their best football on a field at 2,600 meters above sea level, difficult for visiting teams.
