Gonzalo Pineda’s MLS side took the game to penalties but it was La Máquina who triumphed from the spot to book a knockout clash with Charlotte.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Jul 30th, 2023 06:56 EDT
Jorge MartinezMEXSPORT
Cruz Azul will play Charlotte in the first knockout round of the 2023 Leagues Cup after securing a penalty shootout victory over Atlanta United in the final group game.
Both Cruz Azul and Atlanta were defeated by a Lionel Messi-inspired Inter Miami in their previous fixture, meaning that Saturday’s game was a winner-takes-all affair.
After a 1-1 scoreline at the end of 90 minutes the game went to penalties, with the Liga MX side edging the shootout 5-4. Carlos Salcedo missed the opening kick for Cruz Azul but subsequent errors from Atlanta’s Miguel Berry and Juan Jose Purata ensured the Mexican team would progress to the knockout stage.
🔥 @seba_jurado 🔥 pic.twitter.com/e9LOEztUzO
— CRUZ AZUL (@CruzAzul) July 30, 2023
“Very disappointed with this one,” said Atlanta head coach Gonzalo Pineda in the post-match. “I think we deserve better, but this is football.”
“I saw a big, big improvement with the team. I thought we did a good job in many, many different phases of the game. Football is like this,” he said.
Almada stars but Atlanta eliminated
Saturday’s game started poorly for Atlanta when Cruz Azul midfielder Moises Vierira ghosted into the box to volley home from close range. The Liga MX outfit could have extended their lead later in the first half when Mexican winger Carlos Antuna struck a fierce drive from the edge of the box, but Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan was down sharply to keep the deficit to a single goal.
Atlanta needed a moment of magic to get back into the tie and, with 15 minutes remaining, their star man delivered it.
Who will Messi’s Inter Miami play in the Leagues Cup round of 32?
On the 75th minute MLS All-Star Thiago Almada was lurking on the edge of the Cruz Azul box when the ball was poked clear by a desperate defender. Almada strolled onto the loose ball and slammed a right-footed effort into the bottom corner of the net.
Almada has starred for Atlanta this season with eight goals from 21 games in MLS. However the Argentinian international was powerless to prevent his team exiting the Leagues Cup at the group stage.
Who will Cruz Azul play next in the League Cup?
La Máquina have previous in the Leagues Cup, winning the 2019 edition of the tournament. They defeated fellow Mexican side Tigres in the final in the old eight-team iteration of the competition.
With 47 teams from the United States and Mexico in this year’s tournament the Leagues Cup offers a chance to secure real continental bragging rights.
TOP OF THE GROUP 🫡#ForTheCrown pic.twitter.com/GwopUmTbUe
— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) July 30, 2023
