Uchenna Kanu hits hat trick as Cruz Azul outclass Atlas in Liga MX Femenil thriller
Nigeria forward Uchenna Kanu announced her arrival in style at Cruz Azul Femenil, firing a brilliant hat-trick in a pulsating 6–4 victory over Atlas Femenil in Saturday’s Liga MX Femenil encounter.
Making her first start since the Round 4 clash against Monterrey after a run of substitute appearances, the 28-year-old wasted no time in opening her goal account for the club following her move from Racing Louisville FC. Kanu’s performance was both ruthless and composed, setting the tone for a high-scoring contest.
Her opener arrived in the 27th minute as she expertly controlled a cross inside the box, skipped past her marker and finished with calm authority. She doubled her tally ten minutes into the second half, curling a fine effort beyond the goalkeeper, before completing her hat-trick in the 61st minute with a simple tap-in from close range to crown a clinical display.
Cruz Azul had raced into an early advantage, with Ana Lucía Martínez striking in the 7th minute and María Montaño adding a second in the 23rd. Atlas, however, refused to fade quietly. Renata Huerta pulled one back in the 33rd minute, Sanjuana Muñoz followed two minutes later, and Huerta struck again in the 65th to keep the visitors firmly in contention. A 70th-minute penalty from Brenda Cerén further cut the deficit to 5–4, turning the match into a tense shootout.
Relief finally came for Cruz Azul in the 73rd minute when Aerial Chavarin netted the sixth goal to seal a breathless win. Kanu’s standout performance earned her the Player of the Match award.
The victory marked Cruz Azul’s first win after two defeats and a draw in their previous three outings, their fourth of the season overall, lifting them to eighth place on 15 points. They will look to build on the momentum when they face Necaxa on Thursday, March 12, as their push up the table continues.
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