Cruz Azul triumphed 1-1 (5-4) over Atlanta United to seal their place in round of 32 at the 2023 Leagues Cup in game that had plenty of end-to-end action before a dramatic penalty shootout.
With Inter Miami already securing qualification to the next round of the Leagues Cup, it was a win-or-go-home scenario for Atlanta United and Cruz Azul with both sides on zero points going into the game.
The Mexican side opened the scoring after sustaining constant pressure from Atlanta, with midfielder Moises Vieira volleying home a thundering shot to give the visitors an early lead. Brad Guzan could do nothing about the strike, leaving Cruz Azul were one step closer to making it out of the group stage.
La Maquina were ahead at the end of the first half, and Atlanta United will have felt somewhat hard done by the scoreline. The Eastern Conference team created plenty of good looks at goal but were unable to put any in the back of the net and were unlucky to not receive a penalty kick after what looked like a clear handball near the end of the first 45.
Giorgos Giakoumakis thought he had found the equalizer for Atlanta off a set piece when he connected with a Thiago Almada cross, as his headed effort hit the side netting that looked like it went into the goal. The fans at Mercedes Benz Stadium - the Atlanta United fans, that is, as there were a lot of Cruz Azul supporters present - went into a frenzy, and stadium announcer even let out a belting 'GOALLL,' but no ball crossed the line.
Almada would go on to level the game after substitute Edwin Mosquera raced inside the box and the ball pinged around and found Almada's feet, and he placed it perfectly into the bottom corner, nutmegging a Cruz Azul defender in the process. The goal was coming for the Five Stripes.
90 minutes wasn't enough to determine the winner in this one, and a penalty shootout was on the cards to determine who would advanced to the next round of the competition. Because the game ended as a draw in normal time, both teams earned one point in the table, meaning they were still level on one pointe each. Whichever side won the shootout would gain another point - and therefore advance to the knockout stage.
In the end Cruz Azul advanced to the next phase of the competition in a thrilling penalty kick shootout. Augusto Lotti sealed the 1-1 (5-4) win, and their head coach, Ricardo 'Tuca' Ferretti, lives to coach another day for La Maquina, while Atlanta's Gonzalo Pineda is under even more pressure.
Atlanta United (3-4-2-1)
GK: Brad Guzan - 5.5/10 - Wasn't much he could do for the opening goal. Didn't have much to do outside of that. Didn't help his side in the shootout, either.
CB: Miles Robinson - 6.5/10 - The USMNT figure was composed on the ball as usual and make several key interceptions.
CB: Luis Abram - 6.5/10 - The Peru international neither helped or hindered his side.
CB: Ronald Hernandez - 5.5/10 - Left a gaping hole in his own penalty box when trying to assist Robinson in defense that led the opening goal.
LM: Caleb Wiley - 6/10 - Was up against Uriel Antuna and had plenty of bright moments defensively and also struggled defensively at the same time.
CM: Amar Sejdic - 6.5/10 - Quiet in the middle of the park but did his job in quickly shuffling the ball up the field.
CM: Matheus Rossetto - 6/10 - Was uninspring for the most part but had a couple of nice moments on the ball.
RM: Brooks Lennon - 6.5/10 - Constantly found himself in great spaces on the wing, stretching the Cruz Azul defense but was unable to send in quality crosses to a teammate. Tried to set the tone in the shootout by converting his attempt.
AM: Tristan Muyumba - 7.5/10 - In his debut for the Five Stripes, he was their best player in the first half. Even though he's classified as a defensive midfielder, he looked inspiring on the ball and in attack. Converted his attempt with ease.
AM: Thiago Almada - 9/10 - Tried his best to lead the way going forward for the Five Stripes, but couldn't do it all on his own. Stepped up big to convert his penalty kick, where he's struggled in recent weeks.
ST: Giorgos Giakoumakis - 6/10 - Had a golden chance in the opening minute but failed to get his shot away. His volleyed attempt right after the second half started forced Sebastian Roca to make a diving save. Lost the ball on a few occasions which slowed down attacking movements. Fired his attempt into the back of the net.
Substitutes
CM: Ozzie Alonso (63' for Amar Sejdic) - 6/10 - Had a decent cameo off the bench in the midfield.
LW: Edwin Mosquera (63' for Ronald Hernandez) - 6.5/10 - Made a positive impact after coming on, playing direct and his run into the Cruz Azul penalty area lead to Atlanta's equalizer.
CB: Juanjo Purata (79' for Caleb Wiley) - 5/10 - Helped Atlanta get to the penalty shootout by shoring up the backline. Unfortuanetly, he missed his attempt that sealed Atlanta's demise.
ST: Miguel Berry (89' for Matheus Rossetto) - 5/10 - His penalty was saved, and it spelled certain doom for the Five Stripes.
Manager
Gonzalo Pineda - 4.5/10 - Chose to stick with the three-at-the-back formation and Atlanta created plenty of chances but couldn't capitalize. He said after Atlanta's 2-1 loss to Orlando City that it was the little things Atlanta needed to fix, but the same problems keep occurring.
Player of the match - Sebastian Roca (Cruz Azul)
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This article was originally published on 90min as Cruz Azul 1-1 Atlanta United (5-4): Player ratings as La Maquina advance to Leagues Cup round of 32.
