Cruz Azul turned the game around to beat Pumas 2-1, securing a victory that celebrated the team’s form under a clear, competitive banner. The match took place as part of the Celestial Cup 2022, and the Cementeros extended their unbeaten run after two rounds, showcasing resilience and tactical balance as they navigated a tight contest against their rivals.
Under the guidance of Rafael Puente del Río and Raúl Gutiérrez, the squad gave minutes to several young talents, signaling a blend of experience and fresh energy. The visitors from Amsterdam surged ahead with a well-crafted strike from Gustavo Del Prete, prompting Cruz Azul to recalibrate and attack with renewed urgency.
Rodolfo Rotondi answered with a spectacular strike that drew the teams level, and shortly after, Rodrigo Cruz delivered the decisive moment, steering the ball into the net and tipping the balance in favor of Cruz Azul. The turnaround illustrated the team’s capacity to stay composed when the scoreboard demanded a response and to convert opportunities when confidence was high.
For fans and analysts following the Celestial Cup, this match offered a vivid portrait of a squad balancing youth development with winning instincts. The tactical adjustments during the second half highlighted a willingness to press, recover, and create chances through quick transitions and decisive finishing. This performance reinforced the impression that Cruz Azul is building a foundation capable of competing, even when the clock forces creative solutions on the field.
In this feature, highlights from the match are recapped to provide a concise view of the key moments that shaped the outcome. The sequence of play, the equalizer, and the late strike are presented with the aim of capturing the momentum shifts that defined the encounter.
– GOAL BY GUSTAVO DEL PRETE –
Gustavo Del Prete opened the scoring for the visitors, bending a precise shot past the goalkeeper to put his side ahead. The goal reflected Del Prete’s finishing touch and the visiting team’s early confidence, setting a high tempo for the game and forcing Cruz Azul into an immediate response.
– SPLENDID STRIKE BY ROTONDI –
Rodolfo Rotondi replied with a moment of individual brilliance. His strike found the upper corner, leaving the goalkeeper with little chance and energizing Cruz Azul as they sought to overturn the deficit. The equalizer reshaped the match’s rhythm and spurred a surge of momentum for the home team.
– RODRIGO CRUZ CLINCHES THE VICTORY –
Rodrigo Cruz delivered the decisive goal, securing a win for Cruz Azul. His finishing precision sealed the result and allowed the team to celebrate a hard-earned victory that reflected their perseverance and collective belief in the set-up under Puente del Río and Gutiérrez.
In the broader context of the Celestial Cup, this victory matters beyond the scoreline. It demonstrates Cruz Azul’s ability to recover from a deficit, deploy a mix of youth and experience, and convert key moments into goals. The win adds to a growing narrative about the club’s direction and the players who could shape its next chapters.
As the competition progresses, observers will look for continued development in the squad’s cohesion, the effectiveness of substitutions, and the willingness to push for decisive outcomes. The team’s performance on this day underscored a mental resilience and a strategic willingness to chase results when needed. These are the threads that build a compelling case for Cruz Azul as a serious contender in the current season, backed by a combination of leadership and promise from its younger players.
Source: Goal