Rayados draw with Atlas despite two man disadvantage

The much anticipated return of Ricardo La Volpe, now in-charge of Atlas, to the Tecnológico did not disappoint as the clubs played to 2-2 draw with the Rayados fighting back despite a two man disadvantage.

The match started at a break neck pace with Atlas looking like they were going to run Monterrey out of their home grounds. Only twelve minutes in Atlas took the lead as Jose Maria Basanta was dispossessed of the ball by Edgar Iván Pacheco who then played the ball to Darío Botinelli. A quick run in and he fired the ball over a diving Christian Martínez. Two minutes later in looked bleak for the Rayados as Edgar Iván Pacheco added his name to the score sheet with a weak effort from the top of the box. The disastrous half continued as with eleven minutes remaining Felipe Baloy was red carded for a harsh challenge on Hugo Ayala. Tempers flared and showing signs of losing discipline, Humberto Suazo challenge of the referee seven minutes later resulted in him being sent off and Monterrey now down to nine men. With the match seemingly in control for Atlas and with a two man advantage they should have easily killed the match off with controlled tempo. However with eighteen minutes remaining a simple long ball was flicked on by Jesús Eduardo Zavala to Jesús Arellano in the box and after bringing the ball down he turned and half-volleyed into the top corner of the net. Now 2-1, Monterrey had the much needed lifeline and with nine minutes remaining José María Basanta headed in Luis Ernesto Pérez in swinging corner to level the match. Atlas poured forward for the winner and although coming close they couldn't find a way through and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.