OneFootball
Seamus Leonard·13 December 2021
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsOneFootball
Seamus Leonard·13 December 2021
You know those occasions when you think your eyes have deceived you?
There was such a moment in the Liga MX Apertura final on Sunday when Edgar Zaldívar produced a miss that defied logic.
With his side leading 1-0 León to leave the two-legged decider 3-3 on aggregate, the Atlas midfielder did something that left the home crowd at the Estadio Jalisco in a state of shock.
When Christopher Trejo’s effort crashed off the underside off the crossbar 10 minutes from time, a glorious chance fell to Zaldívar a couple of yards of goal in front of an empty net.
As you can see, he contrived to head the ball into the arms of grateful goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota.
Zaldívar would be saved from ignominy, however, as Atlas went on to overcome their 10-man opponents to win only their second Liga MX title (the first coming in 1950/51) with a 4-3 victory on penalties.
And it was a particularly happy ending for Zaldívar, as he redeemed himself by converting one of his side’s spot kicks.
Just as well!