By Milcah Tanimu
Monterrey clinched a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals with a commanding 3-1 victory over Inter Miami in the quarterfinal 2nd leg clash at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico. Here are the key highlights:
– **First-Half Domination**: Monterrey set the tone early in the match, with Brandon Vazquez opening the scoring in the 31st minute, capitalizing on a defensive error from Miami goalkeeper Callender.
– **Gallardo and Berterame Shine**: Monterrey continued their dominance in the second half, with Gallardo and Berterame both finding the back of the net with stunning goals in the 64th and 57th minutes, respectively.
– **Late Consolation**: Inter Miami managed to pull one back in the 85th minute, with Gomez scoring from Messi’s free-kick, but it was too little too late for the MLS side.
– **Aggregate Victory**: With a 5-2 aggregate scoreline, Monterrey sealed their progression to the semifinals, ending Messi’s team’s Champions Cup campaign at the quarterfinal stage.
– **Red Card Drama**: Inter Miami’s woes were compounded when Alba received a red card in the 80th minute, leaving them with 10 men for the remainder of the match.
Monterrey’s dominant performance showcased their strength and determination, securing a well-deserved spot in the next stage of the tournament.
