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

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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LEON, MEXICO – JULY 29: Nicolas Sanchez of Monterrey celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team during the second round match between Leon and Monterrey as part of the Torneo Apertura 2018 Liga MX at Leon Stadium on July 29, 2018 in Leon, Mexico. (Photo by Cesar Gomez/Jam Media/Getty Images)
LEON, MEXICO – JULY 29: Nicolas Sanchez of Monterrey celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team during the second round match between Leon and Monterrey as part of the Torneo Apertura 2018 Liga MX at Leon Stadium on July 29, 2018 in Leon, Mexico. (Photo by Cesar Gomez/Jam Media/Getty Images)

Monterrey 2, Puebla 1

The Rayados continued their perfect start to the season, claiming their third win in as many games, jumping on Puebla early and never allowing the Camoteros to establish any rhythm.

Luis Madrigal opened the scoring in minute 19, taking advantage of a double ricochet. Rayados defender Nico Sánchez pilfered a pass and clattered forward, managing to get off a contested shot that bounced off two defenders right on to Madrigal’s foot and he easily pumped the ball into the open side of the net.

Two minutes later, Daniel Lajud raced forward to pick off a lazy cross-box pass by Puebla goalie Jesús Rodríguez. The Monterrey youth product simply tapped the ball into the empty net, deflating the Camoteros who slunk into the locker room at halftime.

Puebla managed to pull a goal back with six minutes remaining in the match but never threatened to pull even.

Monterrey and Puebla are tied atop Group 1 with 3 points with Mérida (0 points) set to host the Rayados on Aug. 7.