Monterrey Cruises To Apertura Final After Dismantling San Luis
Monterrey delivered a commanding performance Saturday night, surging past Atlético San Luis with a 5-1 victory to book their spot in the Apertura final.
A Dominant Display from Start to Finish
From the opening whistle, Monterrey dictated the tempo, creating numerous dangerous chances. Hector Moreno nearly opened the scoring in the first minute with a powerful shot that goalkeeper Andres Sanchez barely managed to parry.
Spanish midfielder Sergio Canales threatened with a long-range effort in the 12th minute, and Colombian John Stefan Medina narrowly missed with a header that rattled the post in the 38th minute. Roberto de la Rosa also had a golden opportunity before halftime, but Sanchez denied his one-on-one attempt.
Torres Leads the Charge
The breakthrough finally arrived for Monterrey in the 47th minute when Oliver Torres pounced on a rebound in the penalty area and slotted the ball past Sanchez. The goal ignited the Rayados, who doubled their lead in the 52nd minute via a well-placed shot from Beltrame, following a missed save from Sanchez.
San Luis momentarily sparked hope with a penalty kick conversion from Sebastien Salles Ramonge in the 75th minute, but Monterrey quickly regained control.
Late Flourish Secures a Convincing Victory
Monterrey put the game beyond doubt late in the second half. Torres grabbed his second goal in the 85th minute, extending Monterrey’s lead before Daniel Guillén unfortunately turned the ball into his own net in the 82nd. American striker Brandon Vázquez added another goal in stoppage time, capping off a dominant performance for Monterrey.
Looking Ahead to the Apertura Final
With a convincing 6-3 aggregate victory, Monterrey advances to the Apertura final for the first time since their triumph in the 2019 Apertura.
They await the winner of the clash between América and Azul Cruz, a scoreless affair scheduled to be decided on Sunday night. Monterrey, who finished fifth in the regular season, will be eager to secure their sixth Liga MX title.
The victory is a testament to the leadership of coach Martín Demichelis, who took over the reins from Fernando Ortiz after a difficult start to the season. Demichelis, dismissed by River Plate after six months, has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for the Monterrey side.
How does Monterrey’s performance against Atlético San Luis suggest their chances of winning the Apertura title?
## Monterrey’s Road to Glory: A Chat with Football Analyst, Juan Perez
**Host:** Welcome back, folks! Joining us today is renowned football analyst, Juan Perez, to discuss Monterrey’s impressive victory over Atlético San Luis and their journey to the Apertura final. Juan, welcome to the show!
**Juan Perez:** Thanks for having me. It was a thrilling match, and Monterrey certainly deserves their place in the final.
**Host:** Absolutely! Their 5-1 win over San Luis was truly dominant. What were your key takeaways from the game?
**Juan Perez:** Monterrey controlled the game from start to finish. [[1](https://www.milenio.com/futbol/liga-mx/monterrey-a-la-apertura-2024-liga-mx-vence-a-san-luis)]They were relentless in their attack, creating chances from the very first minute. Hector Moreno almost scored in the opening seconds, setting the tone for their aggressive approach. Canales and Medina also posed significant threats throughout the match.
**Host:** It seems like Monterrey has rediscovered their winning formula after a decade-long drought. Do you think they have what it takes to lift the trophy this year?
**Juan Perez:** Definitely. Their performance against San Luis showcased their quality and determination. They are a well-rounded team with a potent offense and a solid defense. If they can maintain this form, they are strong contenders to win the Apertura title.
**Host:** Exciting times for Monterrey fans! Thanks for your insights, Juan. We’ll be eagerly awaiting the final match!
**Juan Perez:** My pleasure. It should be a thrilling contest!
