Match Report: CA La Paz 0-1 Durango
CA La Paz lost 0-1 to Durango in the second round of Apertura in the Liga de Expansión MX on Friday night. The result sees the hosts drop further from the top four while the visitors move up the table. One moment decided everything, and by then neither side had created a proper chance to test the goalkeeper.
Cantu gave the away side the lead in the 64th minute, and that was the only shot on target for the entire match. To be fair, both teams struggled to break down the opposition, with La Paz managing five shots on target and Durango just one. The statistics show zero big chances created by either side, which tells you something about the nature of this game.
Things came to a head after the break when both sides made changes. Garcia came on for La Paz in the 46th minute, while Hernandez joined the visitors 15 minutes later. The game opened up slightly, but neither manager could find the breakthrough they needed until Cantu's goal. And here's the thing about matches like this — you don't need a flood of chances to win.
The second half brought two red cards for the hosts, and that changed the complexion of the evening completely. Alaffita Garcia went off in the 82nd minute, followed by Torres just seven minutes later. Durango made three substitutions during this period — Millan, Angulo, and Escoboza — as they looked to see out the game. The visitors held their nerve despite losing some control.
La Paz finished with 54 per cent possession and 441 passes completed, but it meant nothing without the second goal. They took 12 shots with 74 attacks, yet Cantu's strike proved decisive. Durango managed 88 attacks on 46 per cent possession and made do with a single shot on target. By then the result was secure.
The hosts sit third with 13 points from seven games, while Durango occupy 13th place on eight points from eight matches. This result ended a poor run for the visitors, who had lost four of their previous eight fixtures. The away side's recent form included a 1-0 win over Tepatlán and two consecutive draws, and this victory gives them something to build on.
