Liga MX: Atlas ends Cruz Azul’s unbeaten season with Copa MX win

Cruz Azul lost for the first time this season (to lowly Atlas) and could find itself eliminated from the Copa MX, while the Tigres clinched a spot in the knockout stages with a 1-0 victory in Chiapas.

Elsewhere, Pachuca overcame the departure of its captain to earn a key point on the road while Toluca denied second division Juárez a chance to move forward with an injury time goal.

Atlas 1, Cruz Azul 0

Atlas claimed its first win of the season and handed Cruz Azul its first loss. The Zorros are 0-2-5 in league play with no goals scored, but they’ve found the net 3 times in their two Copa games against the Cementeros who have ceded only 2 goals in 7 league matches.

Juan Pablo Vigón was sprung in alone against goalie Guillermo Allison and chipped over the onrushing keeper for the only score of the game. Andrés Andrade made the pass that split the defense, a defense that looked vulnerable all night.

Center back Jordan Silva and fullback José Madueña were exposed incessantly by Atlas, demonstrating that Cruz Azul coach Pedro Caixinha does not have a strong bench to call on in case of injury to his first-teamers. Silva was caught out of position on the scoring play and made several bad passes that almost cost his team.

Madueña has been a particular disappointment as he was inked in January, touted as a splashy signing to take over the right fullback duties. Instead, his opportunities have been limited and when he does see the field, he has proven to be a liability.

Atlas controls its own destiny in Group 6; a win at Zacatapec next week will see the Zorros into the Round of 16. Second division Zacatepec defeated Atlas 2-1 at Estadio Jalisco in the opening game of the group stage. Cruz Azul will finish first if Atlas ties or loses, otherwise the Cementeros will hope their 7 points are enough to qualify as a second-place finisher.

Tapachula 0, Tigres 1

An early goal from central defender Juninho secured a first-place finish for the Tigres and a spot in the Round of 16. Juninho volleyed a free kick on net but Cafateleros goalie Carlos López blocked it; Juninho poked at the rebound and López saved again, but the Tigres skipper smacked the loose ball into the net.

That was all the scoring the Tigres needed as they did just enough to stay alive in the Copa MX. Typical of Tuca Ferretti teams in the Cup (Tuca has disparaged the tournament in the past), the powerhouse Tigres gave half effort in their first two games (losing to San Luis and tying Tapachula) but won the past two with relative ease.

The Tigres own the tiebreaker over San Luis so they will advance as winners of Group 9 regardless of what happens next week in the San Luis-Cafateleros match.

Juárez 2, Toluca 2

Amaury Escoto headed home an injury time goal to knock the host Bravos out of the Copa MX and give Tijuana a spot in the Round of 16.

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The two teams played an entertaining back-and-forth match with all the scoring occurring in the game’s final 15 minutes. Leandro Carriló (minute 75) and Matheus Cotulio (83’) put Juárez ahead 2-0 and appeared to set up the Bravos for a spot in the knockout stages.

Luis Enrique Quiñones pulled one back for Toluca in minute 86 and then Escoto ruined the night for Bravos fans when he rose in the middle of a pack to knock home a corner kick in minute 90+4. Toluca was already eliminated from the Copa (after finishing as runner-up last season).

Tijuana visits Toluca next week in the final Group 2 match aiming to improve its seeding in the Round of 16.

Santos 0, Pachuca 0

Before Wednesday night’s game in Torreón, Coahuila, Pachuca learned the club had sold its captain Erick Gutiérrez to PSV Eindhoven. It’s a tough blow for the Tuzos as they had just started to gather momentum in league play but it is a great opportunity for the 23-year-old who will renew acquaintances with Hirving Lozano, his former Pachuca teammate who scored Wednesday in PSV’s UEFA Champions League match.

The two first division clubs played to a scoreless draw but the game did not lack for excitement. Pachuca’s newest signing – striker Leo Ulloa – saw his first extended action with the Tuzos and showed flashes of his form, but it might be a few weeks before he can be expected to contribute in league play.

With this result, Santos finishes last in Group 5 while Pachuca only needs a tie next week vs Celaya to claim top spot. The Tuzos could even lose by 1 goal and finish ahead of Celaya.