Monterrey wins first leg of Apertura final

MEXICO CITY — Humberto Suazo's 88th minute goal gave Monterrey a 4-3 home win over Cruz Azul in Thursday's first leg of the Mexican Apertura final.

Cruz Azul had led 3-1, with Paraguayan midfielder Christian Riveros heading home in the sixth and 17th minutes, while Argentine striker Emanuel Villa added a goal in the 34th.

But 28-year-old Suazo, who is reportedly on his way to English club Sunderland, narrowed the deficit in the 47th before scoring the game winner.

"We fought very hard to reach the finals, we were not ready to surrender", said Monterrey defender Severo Meza. "We are ready to achieve some great things".

The second leg of the final will be played next Sunday at Estadio Azul in Mexico City.

Monterrey took the lead in the third minute when former Derby County striker Villa — the Apertura's highest scorer — put one in at the wrong end.

Suazo's first goal cut the deficit to 3-2 and the equalizer came in the 70th minute when a crisp pass by Paraguayan Osvaldo Martinez set up substitute Sergio Santana to nod home.

Cruz Azul, which is the fourth most successful team in Mexico with eight championships, will try to end a 12-year spell without a title on Sunday. They need to win the second leg to avoid their third loss in the Mexican final in the past four seasons.

Monterrey is seeking it third championship and first since the 2003 Clausura.