Ghana’s centre-back, Jonathan Mensah’s quest to progress into the semifinal of the CONCACAF Champions League became a mirage as they lost 3-0 to Monterrey.
It was the first game the 30-year-old was paying in their last three games after he recovered from a hamstring injury.
Monterrey have, thus, advanced on a 5-2 aggregate after the first leg ended in 2-2
Columbus Crew coach Caleb Porter blamed the early goal they conceded in the first half which made things difficult for his boys.
“Huge mountain to climb when you give up an early goal like that,” Porter said. “Not the way you want to start the match.”
Monterrey took the lead in the 3rd minute when forward Vincent Janssen sent in a cross from the left but Columbus goalkeeper Eloy Room couldn’t firmly hold it and forward Maximiliano Meza tapped home the rebound.
Meza doubled Monterrey’s lead in the 26th minute when he met a squared ball after Janssen robbed Columbus center back Josh Williams off the ball. The Argentine forward beat Room with a one-timed finish to put Monterrey 2-0 advantage to halftime.
Miguel Layun put the game out of reach of the visitors in the 71st minute when he drilled home a stunning free kick to the top corner from 25 yards.
