Bravos Advance to Copa MX Semi-Finals
The Bravos de FC Juarez defeated first division Veracruz in penalty kicks to advance to the semi-finals of the Copa MX last night at Benito Juarez Olympic Stadium. A header that found the back of the net in the final 15 seconds of the match for the visiting Veracruz side tied the score 2-2 and sent the match into a penalty kick shootout.
The Bravos opened the scoring line in the 18th minute of the match when forward Flavio Santos scored off of an attack that came from the left flank. Santos found a loose bouncing ball in the heart of the
Vercruz goalbox and struck it with his right foot to give the Bravos the 1-0 lead.
As it has been a recent trend for FC Juarez the lead was short lived, Veracruz responded five minutes later when Carlos Salcido scored off of a corner kick.
The match would be a back and forth battle for the remainder of the first half, but in the 38th minute, Rafael Ramazotti would score his first ever goal for the Bravos to give them a 2-1 lead going into halftime. The goal came at the right time for Ramazotti as he was touted as the Bravos star acquisition for this clausura 2019 season as thus far he has failed to deliver, while the criticism from the Bravos fan base has increased with every passing week.
The team from the Borderland would go on to do what was necessary and lock down Veracruz in the second half. All appeared to be a success until Kazim Richards scored off of a header with only seconds remaining to tie the match 2-2.
Despite this last second shocking outcome, FC Juarez was able to maintain their cool and win the penalty kick shootout by a score of 3-1 with FC Juarez goalkeeper Ivan Vasquez Mellado once again establishing himself as the hero of the night blocking 2 penalty kicks.
The Bravos will now play first division Pumas in the semi-finals here in the Borderland at Benito Juarez Olympic Stadium. The date and time of the match are still to be determined by the Mexican Soccer Federation.
Up next for the Bravos will be a league match on Sunday, March 17th versus Cimarrones de Sinaloa on the road.