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Pachuca, Querétaro stumble, giving Morelia new life

By Thomas Buckley

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 09: Juan Pablo Vigon (L) of Atlas fights for the ball with Jose Martinez (R) of Pachuca during a 16th round match between Veracruz and Queretaro as part of Torneo Apertura 2018 Liga MX at Jalisco Stadium on November 9, 2018 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Alfredo Moya/Jam Media/Getty Images)
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 09: Juan Pablo Vigon (L) of Atlas fights for the ball with Jose Martinez (R) of Pachuca during a 16th round match between Veracruz and Queretaro as part of Torneo Apertura 2018 Liga MX at Jalisco Stadium on November 9, 2018 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Alfredo Moya/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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With a Liga MX playoff berth at stake, Pachuca and Querétaro both laid eggs against inferior competition, leaving the door open for Morelia to sneak into the postseason.

Pachuca controlled its own destiny but looked disinterested against lowly Atlas in Liga MX Matchday 16 action, settling for a scoreless draw, while Querétaro spent the evening chasing last-place Veracruz, finally forging a tie just ahead of the final whistle.

Both Pachuca and Querétaro now have 23 points, but Morelia (22 points) plays 15th place Tijuana Saturday with a chance to move into 8th place with one game remaining.

Atlas 0, Pachuca 0

The Tuzos came into the game on an impressive 3-game win streak, scoring 10 goals in that span. On Friday night at Estadio Jalisco, Pachuca played its most uninspired game of the season and might have cost itself a shot at the postseason.

Atlas opened the game with energy and good motion, while Pachuca seemed to sit back, waiting for a gift that the Zorros never offered. The Tuzos were erratic and disorganized (their pass rate was a poor 69%) and managed only 5 shots all game, never testing Atlas keeper José Hernández.

There was a lack of coordination between lines and way to much soloing, with midfield bulldog Jorge Hernández particularly out of sorts and the dynamic duo of Erick Aguirre and Víctor Guzmán (both again earning invitations to El Tri for the upcoming FIFA dates) both delivering subpar performances.

If not for goalie Alfonso Blanco who made 3 brilliant saves on point-blank shots, Pachuca would have been a sure loser.

Pachuca coach Pako Ayestarán deserved criticism for not making changes earlier. After the dud of a first half and fully half the team candidates for substitution, there is no way he should have waited past the hour mark to look to his bench. Instead, the Spaniard made his first moves in minute 76, sending in striker Leo Ulloa for the ineffectual Franco Jara and Francisco Figueroa for the feckless Pablo López. Five minutes later, Angel Sagal came on for the indecisive Sebastian Palacios.

The Tuzos did not respond, and if they miss out on the Liguilla, they’ll have nobody to blame but themselves.

Veracruz 2, Querétaro 2

The Tiburones might have spoiled Querétaro’s season despite giving up the tying goal deep into injury time.

The Gallos Blancos bungled a great opportunity to step into the driver’s seat for the 8th and final playoff spot, but they were badly off target all night.

Bryan Carrasco got the home team on the board in minute 20 after he and Adrián Luna raced away on a 2-man fast break. Luna filtered the lead pass and Carrasco finished cleanly past a helpless Tiago Volpi. Fourteen minutes later, José Hibert Ruiz flicked a header off a corner kick just inside the near post for a stunning 2-0 lead. Luna had the assist again.

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Veracruz outhustled and outplayed the Gallos Blancos during the entire first half, and 21-year-old rookie keeper Sebastián Jurado looked sharp in goal, denying Camilo Sanvezzo with a sprawling palm save just seconds after Ruiz’s goal. He made two other sparkling interventions during the opening 45 minutes.Edson

Coach Rafa Puente made two changes for Querétaro to open the second half, inserting Chile international Edson Puch and Paragauayan Miguel Samudio, and they quickly made a difference. Puch floated a free kick into the box and Alexis Pérez pulled a goal back for the Gallos Blancos, scoring on a header in minute 55.

For the next 15 minutes, Querétaro swarmed around the Veracruz net but what Jurado did not capture the alert Veracruz defense cleared. Finally, the Tiburones were able to gain some possession and tried to take the air out of the ball, but they lacked patience and the Gallos Blancos tipped the field toward their offensive side again.

Puch got deep inside the box  and tried to step around Jurado but the youngster scrambled and, while lying prone, managed to swat the ball off of Puch’s right foot before he could pass the ball.

Querétaro defender Hiram Mier finally found the back of the net to equalize in minute 90 +3 but the tie might be the Gallos Blancos’ last gasp as Pachuca remains above them on goal differential while Morelia has a game in hand.

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