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Uchenna Kanu Nets Hat-Trick on First Start as Cruz Azul Edge Atlas in Liga MX Thriller
Nigeria forward Uchenna Kanu announced her arrival in style at Cruz Azul Femenil, firing a brilliant hat-trick in a pulsating 6–4 victory over Atlas Femenil in Saturday’s Liga MX Femenil encounter.
Making her first start since the Round 4 clash against Monterrey after a series of substitute appearances, the 28-year-old wasted no time in opening her goal account for the club following her move from Racing Louisville FC.
Kanu’s display was both ruthless and composed, setting the tone in a high-scoring contest.
Her opener arrived in the 27th minute as she expertly controlled a cross inside the box, skipped past her marker and finished with calm authority.
She doubled her tally ten minutes into the second half, curling a fine effort beyond the goalkeeper, before completing her hat-trick in the 61st minute with a simple tap-in from close range to cap a clinical performance.
Cruz Azul had surged into an early lead, with Ana Lucía Martínez scoring in the 7th minute and María Montaño adding a second in the 23rd.
Atlas responded strongly through Renata Huerta in the 33rd minute, with Sanjuana Muñoz striking two minutes later. Huerta grabbed her brace in the 65th minute, while a 70th-minute penalty from Brenda Cerén reduced the deficit to 5–4, setting up a tense finale.
Relief came in the 73rd minute when Aerial Chavarin netted Cruz Azul’s sixth to seal the thrilling win. Kanu’s outstanding performance earned her the Player of the Match award.
The result marked Cruz Azul’s first win after two defeats and a draw in their previous three matches — their fourth victory of the campaign — lifting them to eighth place on 15 points. They will aim to build on the momentum when they face Club Necaxa Femenil on Thursday, March 12.
