Cruz Azul and Necaxa could not be separated in normal time in their play-in game to determine who would take their place in the Liga MX quarter finals, and so the contest went to the dreaded penalty shootout.
And it was there that Sebastian Jurado, the 24-year-old deputising for injured veteran Jose de Jesus Corona, made a hero of himself.
As well as producing a stellar display during regulation time, Jurado would save two Necaxa spot kicks that would ultimately see Cruz Azul through to the last eight of the competition as 3-1 winners in the shootout.
“It’s an indescribable emotion. To have my parents, my brother here [as well],” the shot-stopper reflected afterwards at Estadio Azteca.
Now head coach Juan Reynoso will have to decide whether to reward Jurado for his efforts or recall Corona ahead of the team’s quarter final clash with Tigres.
