MEXICAN FIESTA RUINS COLUMBUS’ PARTY IN CONCACAF CHAMPIONS SHOWDOWN

Written by: Floyd Nkanyane

It was meant to be a grand celebration for the Columbus Crew, but Pachuca had other plans, crashing the party with a resounding 3-0 victory to claim their sixth CONCACAF Champions Cup. The Mexican side rolled out the red carpet and put on a scintillating show, leaving the MLS champions dazed and confused.

The Venezuelan veteran, Salomon Rondon, was the star of the show, netting a brace to add to Miguel Rodriguez’s strike. Rondon’s opener, a cheeky lob over the advancing goalkeeper, set the tone for a night of Mexican dominance at the 30,000-capacity Estadio Hidalgo.

Columbus, fresh from dispatching Mexican heavyweights UANL Tigres and Monterrey, fancied their chances, even going as far as installing altitude tents and donning elevation training masks to prepare for the thin air. But their acclimatization efforts amounted to little more than a party trick, as Pachuca’s superior movement and relentless attacks left them gasping for air.

It was a masterclass from the Liga MX side, carving open the Columbus defense with the precision of a seasoned matador. Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte’s heroics provided a momentary respite, but the onslaught proved too much, as Rondon delivered the final blow with his second goal of the night.

With the victory, Pachuca not only secured their sixth CONCACAF crown but also booked their spot in next year’s expanded FIFA Club World Cup fiesta in the United States. As for Columbus, they’ll have to lick their wounds and wait for another invitation to the Mexican party.