A Victory That Knows on the Front Sheet
It seems that those from Monterrey like the view from above, because this weekend they decided to move to the top of the standings. In a match that had more mixed emotions than a teenager watching his favorite series, Rayados won by the slightest difference over Querétaro at the Corregidora Stadium. It was not a spectacle to frame, but in this league, sometimes with a goal and a solid defense, it is more than enough to add the three points and strut as leader.
The score, because in the end that’s what football is about (and memes, let’s not fool ourselves), came in the 24th minute. The architect was none other than Germán Berterame, the Argentine who seems to have a magnet in his feet—or in his chest, in this case. After a rebound that the Gallos defenders did not know how or could not clear, Berterame killed the ball with his torso with an elegance that would make a yoga teacher cry, and then finished with his right foot and sent the ball into the back of the net. His fifth goal of the season, because of course, someone has to do the dirty work.
And After the Goal… Nothing. Absolutely Nothing.
If you were expecting a roller coaster of emotions, goals everywhere and plays worthy of a YouTube compilation, this was not your game. What came after the goal was, to be generous, a dueling. The game became a constant exchange of fouls and yellow cards, as if both teams had tacitly agreed not to try harder than necessary. Querétaro tried, with the faith of someone who has nothing to lose, but Monterrey’s defense, which seems to have taken the concept of a “defensive wall” very seriously, did not allow any major surprises.
Possession of the ball, shots on goal, creativity in midfield… all of that was relegated to the background before the obvious priority: not making a mistake that would cost the tie. It was one of those practical, efficient and, let’s face it, a little boring to the neutral spectator victories. But ask any scratchy fan if they prefer a show of goals and a draw or a dry and boring victory but with three points in the pocket. The answer, believe us, is obvious.
With this result, Monterrey not only adds three vital points on its path to the Apertura 2025, but also sends a clear message to the rest of the contenders: they are here to play for it, even if it is without frills. The leadership is theirs, at least for now, and in a league as competitive as the Liga MX, every victory, no matter how unglamorous it may be, counts a lot.
What awaits you now? Well, continue defending that first place tooth and nail, because in this league, letting your guard down for a second means they’ll eat you alive. And for those from Querétaro, it is time to recover and look for those opportunities that they did not know—or could not—concrete.
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