Player ratings as Rayados rue missed chances in goalless draw

Monterrey were held to a 0-0 draw against Toluca Sunday night at the Estadio BBVA after squandering multiple chances in front of goal.

While we’re used to seeing Rayados dominate the chances made at home, it was actually the visitors who created the better looks at goal – but the Monterrey defense stood strong, with Esteban Andrada and Victor Guzman playing their parts to keep Toluca at bay and out of their net.

Luis Romo threaded an over-the-top through ball for German Beterame, who was barreling through on goal before being taken down in the box from behind by Toluca’s Federico Pereira. Referee Luis Santander showed Pereira a straight red card and pointed to the penalty spot, but the decision was reversed after a VAR review, with Pereira’s red card also being wiped off as boos rained down from the Rayados fans at the Estadio BBVA.

Jesus Gallardo, who was playing in a more advanced role as a wing-back rather than a left-back, found himself at the center of Toluca’s penalty area with a favorable look at goal after a deft cut-back from Gerardo Arteaga. But Gallardo’s left-footed effort sailed over the bar with the game still at a 0-0 deadlock.

The hosts thought they found the winning goal in stoppage time twice as Berterame headed home from close range but was caught offside. Romo found himself in the same position when he too found the back of the net via a headed effort, but a VAR check saw him meet the same fate as his teammate, with even more boos being belted out onto the pitch.

The draw sees Monterrey sit in third place in the Liga MX Clausura table with 15 points and still unbeaten through seven games played, while Toluca remain in ninth place with 10 points collected.

GK: Esteban Andrada – 7/10 – Made up for a teammate’s error with a fantastic close-range stop

RB: Erick Aguirre – 6/10 – Pulled off a last-ditch challenge to guide the ball into Andrada’s path when it seemed like Toluca were nailed on to score.

CB: Victor Guzman – 8/10 – Stepped in to make a vital interception early on and continues to look like a veteran center-back despite being just 21 years old.

CB: Hector Moreno – 6.5/10 – Was a little sloppy on the ball but managed to regain possession to make up for his errors.

LB: Gerardo Arteaga – 6.5/10 – Like his fellow defenders, he too stuck a foot in at a crucial moment to deny Toluca a shot at an open goal.

DM: Jorge Rodriguez – 7/10 – Started off rather shaky but improved…