Cruz Azul Vs. Santos Laguna: Azul Nets 3 Goals In Shutout Win Over Santos In First Leg Of Mexican Clausura Semifinals [VIDEO]

Cruz Azul and Santos Laguna were expected by many to play an extremely physical and close semifinal, especially in Thursday evening's first leg since both clubs wanted to claim an early advantage.

Paced by an explosive offense and shutdown defense, however, Azul took the first leg of the series in convincing fashion, knocking down the defending champions 3-0.

Azul was the better team right from the start. At the three-minute mark of the game, Gerardo Flores played a beautiful header from the center of the box, knocking it past Santos keeper Oswaldo Sanchez.

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As the teams continued to play back and forth soccer for the next 20 minutes, Cruz Azul struck once again to give themselves a 2-0 lead early in the match.

Blasting one under the top right corner of the goal, Pablo Barrera gave his squad a significant cushion as the momentum had clearly swung to Azul. Playing in front of 32,000 Santos fans at the Estadio Corona, Azul jumped out to the fast start teams dream about during the playoffs.

Two goals in 25 minutes for the visitors truly set the tone for the remainder of the contest.

The final goal of the match was caused by a mistake on the part of Santos defender Rafael Figueroa. At the 89^th-minute, Figueroa knocked the ball into his own net while trying to knock it away from the opposing offense, padding the Cruz Azul lead while adding to the disappointment felt by the Santos club.

The winner of this semifinal will take on either Monterrey or Club America. In a close battle throughout, the two clubs played to a 2-2 draw.

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Taking the crucial first leg at the home of their opponents, Cruz Azul will now head back to the comfortable confines of the Estadio Azul.

Feeling comfortable about their chances of returning to the Clausura finals for the first time since finishing behind Santos in 2008, Cruz Azul will host Santos Laguna in the second leg of the semifinals on Sunday, May 19^th. The game is scheduled to begin at 9:00pm, EDT.

WATCH A Recap from Thursday night's First Leg Between Cruz Azul and Santos Laguna: