Monterrey Beats Santos 3-2 in Matías Almeyda’s Winning Coaching Debut

Almeyda Era Begins with Victory

The Matías Almeyda era at Rayados de Monterrey officially began with a 3-2 victory over Santos Laguna at the Estadio BBVA. The match, played before 47,872 spectators, saw Monterrey dominate the first half with 58 percent possession and nine shots on goal. The team’s offensive pressure resulted in a commanding 3-0 lead within the first 31 minutes.

Lucas Ocampos Leads Offensive Charge

Lucas Ocampos was the standout performer for Monterrey, contributing a brace and an assist. The scoring opened in the 20th minute when Diego Rossi set up Ocampos for a low, crossed shot that beat Santos goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo. Only five minutes later, Ocampos doubled the lead. Following a headed pass—attributed in various reports to either Óliver Torres or a ball played to the back of the defense—Ocampos found himself in a one-on-one situation with Acevedo and finished at the near post. In the 31st minute, Ocampos turned provider, delivering a pass to Jesús “Tecatito” Corona. Corona navigated the play with a chip over the goalkeeper to extend the lead to 3-0.

Santos Laguna Responds

Despite the early deficit, Santos Laguna managed to stay in the contest. Just before halftime, in the 40th minute, Monterrey goalkeeper Luis “Mochis” Cárdenas blocked an initial shot by Ezequiel Bullaude, but the rebound fell to Lucas Di Yorio, who tapped it into the net. While the play was initially questioned for a potential offside, the semi-automated VAR system confirmed the goal was valid, leaving the score 3-1 at the break. The second half proved more balanced with fewer clear scoring chances. Monterrey looked to manage the game, though they were forced to make a substitution in the 61st minute when Jesús Corona left the field due to physical discomfort, replaced by Fidel Ambriz. Santos made the final scoreline closer in the 90+6′ minute. Following a corner kick and a series of rebounds, Eduardo “Mudo” Aguirre scored the second goal for the visitors, ending the match at 3-2.

Match Officials and Personnel Notes

The officiating crew, led by referee Marco Antonio “Gato” Ortiz, faced several judgment calls throughout the match. In the first half, the VAR validated the opening goal despite Santos claims of a foul. In the second half, a penalty claim by Diego Rossi was denied after the player fell in the area, and a potential handball by Monterrey’s Ricardo Chávez was ruled involuntary by the referee. However, the midfielder did not feature in the match against Santos. Reports indicate Pineda remains in Querétaro following medical examinations and is expected to join training at El Barrial early in the coming week.

Upcoming Schedule

Following the season-opening victory, both teams look toward their next fixtures:

*Note: Rayados is scheduled to visit Necaxa on Sunday, July 2, at 17:00 hours.*