Monterrey Dominates Urawa Reds to Secure Round of 16 Spot | OneFootball

A resounding victory for Monterrey, advancing in the World Cup. Starting off strong, the Mexicans scored three consecutive goals towards the end of the first half against the weakened Urawa Reds team. In the second half, the match cooled down and the Japanese tried to reduce the deficit, but were unsuccessful and even conceded one more in the last play of the game. 4-0.

While the Asians bid farewell to the World Cup, Monterrey already knows its next opponent. Borussia Dortmund will face the Mexicans on the first of July in the round of 16.

Three consecutive goals for the Mexicans

On the front foot from the start, Monterrey hit the Japanese post just three minutes into the game. Berterame made a good move down the right, cut past the defence and delivered a high cross into the small area, where Alvarado rose higher than the defence and headed firmly, but the ball smashed against the crossbar.

The pace of the Central Americans dropped and allowed Urawa to threaten. Matsuo received the ball in the box on the left and took a shot, but it went just outside the net. The same Matsuo, minutes later, crossed low into the area and saw Andrada struggle but save in two attempts. However, this posture by the Japanese was only temporary.

It was from an unassuming play that Monterrey took the lead at the Rose Bowl Stadium. Around the 30-minute mark, Deossa held possession in midfield and, since no one came to press, struck firmly with his left foot. The ball curved and deceived Nishikawa, ending up in the back of the net. What a goal.

And the second came just as quickly, only four minutes later. In a well-worked move from foot to foot, Alvarado received from Corona in the middle and connected with Berterame in the box on the left, who adjusted to the right and shot low between the defender's legs, sending it into the corner to quickly extend the lead.

The fact was that the gates had really been opened for the Asians in the match. At 38 minutes, Corona received the ball in the central circle, burst through the middle and, getting closer to the box, placed his shot in the opposite corner from Nishikawa, scoring a beautiful goal and marking the third of the match.

The game cools down

Even with a large lead, Monterrey attacked with authority. Right in the first minute, the Mexicans exchanged passes and involved the Japanese defence until Chávez struck firmly with his left foot inside the box and was stopped by a good save from goalkeeper Nishikawa.

In response, Urawa grew into the match and started to exchange passes at the edge of the opponent's area, looking to pose a threat. However, apart from Danilo Boza's header, saved by Andrada, and Matheus Sávio's tight corner kick over the goal, the Japanese posed no real danger.

The Japanese even flirted with a goal later when Watanabe took a direct free kick from the front and sent the ball just inches over the crossbar. It was the Mexicans who came close to scoring when De la Rosa received from Berterame and shot low, but Nishikawa rose to the occasion under the posts and made a great save.

It was at the end of the game that the Japanese managed to net with Thiago Santana. However, the Brazilian striker was offside and the goal that would have reduced the advantage was disallowed after VAR review. But it was even later that Berterame took advantage of the defensive disorganization of the Asians and completed the rebound in the area with a sliding effort, sending the ball into the back of the net. 4-0.