In a night that could’ve been mistaken for a sleep aid infomercial, Pachuca visited Red Bull Arena, New Jersey, to kick off their 2024 Leagues Cupcampaign. The match against the NY Red Bulls was supposed to be a thrilling spectacle, but the half-empty stadium spoke volumes about the expectations – and it wasn’t looking good for the home team fresh off a draw with Toronto.
From the get-go, the game was more about fouls than football. Guillermo Almada’s squad, featuring the likes of Salomn Rondn, seemed more interested in collecting yellow cards than scoring goals. The New Yorkers, not to be outdone in the art of fouling, managed to turn the game into a glorified wrestling match, yet somehow found a way to lead.
The first half was so devoid of action that the highlight might have been a pigeon landing on the field. But then, out of nowhere, Elias Manoel decided to wake everyone up in the 46th minute of the second half. He picked up a deflected ball in the box and, with the calmness of a chess grandmaster, slotted it home. Suddenly, Pachuca was down 1-0.
Just when you thought Rondn’s return was going to be as uneventful as the first half, the Venezuelan star had other plans. In the 72nd minute, he reminded everyone why he’s the top scorer. With a nifty touch and a clinical finish, Rondn leveled the score, making it 1-1 and bringing a spark of life to the game.
Late equalizer and penalty heroics secure victory for Pachuca in tense Leagues Cup clash
The clock ticked on, and four added minutes felt like an eternity. Both teams were desperate for a winner but also seemed resigned to the inevitable penalty shootout. And so, to the spot kicks they went, where nerves of steel and the fine art of penalty taking would decide the extra point.
The initial kicks were textbook, both teams showing off their precision. But then, Lewis Morgan, the Scotsman with the weight of New York on his shoulders, blinked. His miss was quickly followed by Deossa’s slip-up for Pachuca. The crowd braced for the dreaded sudden death.
In the end, it was Sergio de los Ros who stepped up for Pachuca, with the confidence of a man ordering his favorite coffee. His shot was true, the net rippled, and Pachuca emerged victorious. The New Yorkers were left to ponder what might have been in a match that barely sparked but still managed to leave them singed.
So, Pachuca returns home with the points and a reminder that even in the dullest of duels, there can be a hero. Rondn, with his crucial equalizer, and de los Ros, the sudden death savior, ensured their names were the ones to remember from this night of a thousand fouls.