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Toluca stun Crew from the spot after Paulinho’s late brace
Down 2‑0 with 20 minutes to play, CF Toluca found their championship nerve. Paulinho halved the deficit on 71 minutes, then levelled nine minutes later when a recycled corner fell kindly to his left foot. The drama only intensified: Luis Manuel García denied Diego Rossi’s would‑be winner from the spot in the 88th, then saved Rossi and Amar Sejdic again in the shoot‑out. Helinho buried Toluca’s fifth penalty for a 4‑2 tiebreak triumph and a bonus point in the Central 2 group. Columbus — reigning Leagues Cup holders — had earlier looked in control through Rossi’s 11th‑minute penalty and Max Arfsten’s deft finish just after half‑time. It’s an early reminder that knockout‑style group matches often hinge on set‑piece composure — a factor savvy bettors weigh heavily when handicapping soccer specials.
Puebla’s quick start sinks NYCFC 3‑0 in Harrison
An early corner, a clinical counter and a late team move carried Puebla to a statement road win at Red Bull Arena. Juan Fedorco pounced on a loose ball in the second minute; Emiliano Gómez doubled the margin just before the interval, then turned provider for Owen González’s stylish 88th‑minute dagger. Jesús Rodríguez’s five saves preserved the tournament’s first clean sheet, even as New York City FC edged the shot count 17‑13. The Poblano side’s set‑piece efficiency and defensive shape echoed many of the principles outlined in Premier League betting for beginners — proof they translate seamlessly to Leagues Cup play.
Montreal outlast León in 14‑kick shoot‑out after Owusu’s equaliser
CF Montréal rode hot striker Prince Owusu (10 goals in 10 matches) and backup goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois to a gritty 1‑1 (7‑6 pens) victory over Club León. Rogelio Funes Mori headed the visitors ahead early from a trademark James Rodríguez diagonal, but Dante Sealy’s driving run set up Owusu’s tidy 62nd‑minute leveller. In the shoot‑out, the first 13 penalties were flawless before Sebastián Santos rattled the crossbar, handing Montréal the extra point. The hosts out‑shot León 17‑4 (7‑2 on target), underscoring the value of chance creation metrics when evaluating Over/Under angles — a concept detailed in Champions League betting tips.
