Monterrey books date in CONCACAF Champions League Final: All the details from the thrashing of Cruz Azul

Liga MX sides Cruz Azul and Monterrey both met in the second-leg semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League intending to book their spot in the final of the prestigious competition. The match took place at the Estadio Azteca with the Juan Reynoso-led Azul side welcoming Javier Aguirre's Monterrey. Monterrey came into the match with a slim 1-0 lead courtesy of Maximilliano Meza's 9th-minute strike from the first leg at the Estadio BBVA.

Cruz Azul went into the match to intimidate the visiting Monterrey with their home fans and also playing fast breaks to quickly overturn the first-leg deficit. Monterrey knew that even a draw would be good enough to progress to 5th final of the Champions League era. Cruz Azul was bidding to qualify for their 8th final, the first since they won in 2014 against Toluca.

Match Proceedings for Cruz Azul Vs. Monterrey

Despite having a 1-goal cushion and playing away, Monterrey still came out blazing, racing into a 3-1 lead by the 24th minute to effectively kill the game off. Meza opened the scoring again, in the 7th minute. Orbelin Pineda pulled a goal back for Azul in the 10th minute to make it 2-1 on aggregate. Needing at least 2 more goals to proceed, Guillermo Fernandez and Pineda led the charge for Reynoso's side but they came short, leaving themselves exposed.

Monterrey capitalised on this and showed why they were 2019 Champions by scoring two quick goals in the 17th and 24th minutes to end the match as a contest. Duvan Vergara and Rogelio Funes Mori were the respective goalscorers who all but guaranteed Monterrey's place in the final. Rogelio Funes Mori added his second of the night to make it 4-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate in favour of Aguirre's side.

Who will Monterrey meet in the CONCACAFChampions League Final: Club America

Javier Aguirre's Monterrey side will be campaigning to win their 5th CONCACAF Champions League title when they go up against Club America on October 28th at the Estadio BBVA. Club America defeated Philadelphia Union by a 4-0 aggregate scoreline to reach a record-equalling 8th final (now equal with Cruz Azul) and also to have a shot at winning their 8th CONCACAF Champions League title also. 

Monterrey will be hosting the final due to their better performances over the course of the competition so far, racking up 16 points as compared to America's 13. However, Aguirre's side will face the tough task of ending Club America's impressive record of never losing a final. Club America has won all 7 finals it has featured in, last winning the title in 2016 when they defeated Tigres UANL by an emphatic 4-1 aggregate score.