Chinwendu Ihezuo scores as Pachuca falter to Tigres

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria forward Chinwendu Ihezuo was on target during Pachuca’s 2-1 loss to UANL Tigres in a Mexican women’s league match on Monday.

The Super Falcons star scored a late goal which could not prevent her side from a loss despite having numerous chances to win the match.

The visitors had the best chances of the encounter as it took the first two minutes for captain Veronica Corral to set up Chinwendu who played the ball wide from an open net.

The former Monterrey forward had a one-on-one chance to score in the first half, but goalie Aurora Santiago saved in quick succession before she played the third attempt over the bar.

Captain Corral also had her chance to score but could not convert before the host broke the deadlock in the 58th minute through a left-footed shot inside the box by Lizbeth Ovalle.

South African international Thembi Kgathlana earlier missed a one-on-one chance to break the deadlock despite a round of the goalie.

In the 65th minute, Pachuca’s defense failed to clear a cross, giving Natalia Colin a chance to tap home the second goal for UANL Tigres.

Ihezuo should have scored a hat-trick but missed again before finding the back of the net in the additional minutes of the second half as she rounded the goalkeeper and put the ball into an empty net.

The goal was mere consolation as Tigres got the hard-earned win despite Ihezuo scoring her ninth goal of the campaign and played the duration of the match alongside compatriot Osinachi Ohale.

She also received a yellow card in the 55th minute for her troubles.

Pachuca occupies the fourth position with 37 points from 17 games and will next face Juarez on November 7, 2024.