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Liga MX: Copa MX Recap – August 1, 2018 – Holders Necaxa win

By Thomas Buckley

AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO - APRIL 11: Igor Lichnovsky of Necaxa celebrates after the Championship match between Necaxa and Toluca, as part of the Copa MX Clausura 2018 at Victoria Stadium on April 11, 2018 in Aguascalientes, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO - APRIL 11: Igor Lichnovsky of Necaxa celebrates after the Championship match between Necaxa and Toluca, as part of the Copa MX Clausura 2018 at Victoria Stadium on April 11, 2018 in Aguascalientes, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /
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Necaxa opened defense of its Copa MX title with a 1-0 victory Wednesday night, while Cruz Azul and Monterrey maintained their perfect starts to the Apertura 2018 season. Elsewhere, second-division Juárez erased a 2-0 deficit to stun Toluca and León got a goal either side of halftime then held off Querétaro for a 2-1 win.

Facundo Castro of Necaxa gestures to the referee during their Mexican Apertura 2018 tournament football match against Pumas at Olimpicio Universitario stadium in Mexico City, on July 29, 2018. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP) (Photo credit should read ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP/Getty Images)
Facundo Castro of Necaxa gestures to the referee during their Mexican Apertura 2018 tournament football match against Pumas at Olimpicio Universitario stadium in Mexico City, on July 29, 2018. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP) (Photo credit should read ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP/Getty Images) /

Necaxa 1, Tampico Madero 0

The Cup-holders overcame a listless first-half performance and sloppy finishing to take all 3 points against the Jaibos from the Gulf coast port city of Tampico.

Necaxa looked tentative on offense, lacking the crisp passing on display in the team’s first two games, too often settling for solo efforts that were regularly disrupted by the disciplined Tampico defense.

Rayos striker Facundo Castro was denied in minute 38 after picking a defender’s pocket on the right flank and strolling alone into the box only to see his low shot smothered by goalie Jorge Alvarado.

Necaxa found its form five minutes into the second half, moving the ball more quickly and finding space on the flanks. Daniel Álvarez sent a header just wide of the far post off a 51st-minute free kick.

Eight minutes later, Martín Barragán volleyed home from the edge of the 6-yard box to complete a slick offense move. Left fullback Alejandro Mayorga charged down his flank with possession and thumped a cross over the Jaibos defense where sub Claudio Riaño headed back into the middle as Barragán spun past his marker before flicking the ball inside the left post.

Instead of grabbing control of the match, however, Necaxa tempted fate, frittering away opportunities and sweating several dangerous Tampico counterattacks.

Barragán headed over the crossbar in minute 73, Mayorga over dribbled in the box two minutes later and didn’t even get a shot off. Sixty seconds after that, Barragán had a goal disallowed for offside. Fortunately for the Rayos, Tampico was only able to muster a few long-range shots and goalie Yosgart Gutiérrez was up to the task.

Necaxa and UNAM sit atop Group 4 with 3 points each and the two squads will reprise their thrilling Sunday match (a 5-3 win for the Pumas) on Aug. 7.

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