CONCACAF Champions League: Monterrey 2 Cruz Azul 1

Monterrey drew first blood in their all-Mexican CONCACAF Champions League semi-final tie with a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul on Wednesday.

Former Boca Juniors attacker Neri Cardozo delighted the home supporters at the Estadio Tecnologico after 10 minutes of the first-leg encounter when he fired past Jesus Corona in the Cruz Azul goal to open the scoring.

The visitors levelled three minutes after the break when Adrian Cortes scored, but a Sergio Santana header secured the win nine minutes later in a fiery affair that saw referee Delgadillo Haro caution four men from each side.

The win gives Monterrey a one-goal buffer to carry into the second leg, which will be played at the Estadio Azul on April 6.