As in the ‘spinoff’ of the series ‘Breaking Bad’, in CF Monterrey there is a problem solver who greatly misses Real Betis and who the Rayados enjoy. ‘Better call Sergio, better call Sergio Canales‘. The 33-year-old Cantabrian midfielder (he turns 34 in February) is in one of the most lucid moments of his career, as precise and talented as ever in his relationship with the ball; but also with that decisive streak that that blonde kid from the Racing youth team had who was forced by injuries to change his game. Clairvoyant and more decisive than everit is logical that the people from Santander and the Mexican club laugh when they read rumors of a possible exit in the winter market. At this very high level of performance and with a contract until 2026, opening the exit door for him would be sacrilege. Canales always has the solution. Channels is the solution.
The ’10’ of the Rayados dialed again in the early hours of this Friday, converting a penalty shot in the very 90th minute to break the 0-0 score against the always powerful team of the UNAM Pumas and give Monterrey a narrow victory in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the 2024 Apertura Tournament in the Liga MX. Next Sunday, in a university fiefdom, Sergio Canales and his teammates will try to defend the meager income to seal their qualification for the semifinals. Of course, it would not be enough for them to lose 1-0 in the second duel and tie the tie, since there is no extra time or penalties and, in the event of an equal score, the four best in the regular phase qualify: Cruz Azul, Toluca, Tigres UANL or Pumas UNAM.
With this new goal, the former Betis player chains a spectacular dynamic with four goals and one assist in the last three games of your team. Canales scored a double and gave an assist on November 3, participating in three of Monterrey’s four goals against Atlas FC. A week later, on 11-N against León, he scored again, being decisive in transforming the final 2-1 against Club León FC and placing second in the classification of the top scorers in the Liga MX thanks to his nine goals (the leader is Paulinho, from Toluca, with 13). After the national team break, the ‘Wizard’ waved his wand again at the start of the Apertura qualifiers and once again tipped the balance in the aforementioned 1-0 against Pumas on this 29-N. It is not surprising that they have even composed a rap in his honor.
CF Monterrey 1-0 Pumas UNAM: Sergio Canales’ magic wand
In the first half the visitors stood up well and dried up the Rayados attack; To complete their good performance, they were close to taking the lead with three shots on goal from César Huerta. One of them moved goalkeeper Luis Cárdenas, but Jorge Rubalcava let the goal go with everything in his favor. Seconds before the end of the first half, Monterrey created danger with a header from Gerardo Arteaga, from the outside. The second half passed with the locals in search of the opponent’s goal.
They attacked from all sides without achieving anything until defender Pablo Bennevendo committed a foul in the area, masterfully materialized by Sergio Canales, nailing it in the very square. The Spanish, who a few weeks ago It sounded strong to return to Betis in the winter market and was forced to leave to clarify those rumors, it will be cheap for Rayados, who paid 10 million euros plus variables in the summer of 2023 and has already seen him celebrate 21 goals and 6 assists in only 55 official matches. And Betis, meanwhile, looking for a midfielder…