Monterrey off to roaring start with win at Atletico Pantoja

SANTO DOMINGO,  Dominican Republic – Monterrey’s 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League campaign got off to a roaring start with 3-0 win against Atletico Pantoja of the Dominican Republic in their Round of 16 first leg on Thursday night at the Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Monterrey looked to set the tone early and Vincent Janssen was presented with a chance in the 18’, but was unable to find a way past Atletico Pantoja GK Odalis Baez.

Baez’s counterpart in the Monterrey net, GK Luis Cardenas, was just as good at the other end to tip away a curling effort from Carlos Rossell in the 28’ to keep it scoreless.

Monterrey would eventually pick the Atletico Pantoja lock in the 32’ when Alfonso Alvarado swung a pass over to Janssen and the Dutchman hammered a shot into net for a 1-0 Monterrey lead.

Rayados then added to their lead minutes before halftime in the 43’, with Alfonso Gonzalez heading in a Dorlan Pabon cross to make it 2-0 to the Mexican visitors.

Some big saves from Baez in the first part of the second half kept Atletico Pantoja within two scores, but Alvarado managed to stretch the Monterrey lead to 3-0 in the 69’ with a strong right-footed finish.

With the three-goal advantage, the four-time SCCL champions were able to see things out to give themselves a healthy advantage going into next week’s return leg.