After not so much of a wait, Liga MX was finally back this past Friday night and it felt oh so good.
Friday night started Liga MX off with games between Xolos de Tijuana and Santos Laguna, as well as Morelia versus Los diablos de Toluca. Saturday saw three games, and Sunday had Pachuca versus Pumas.
Xolos de Tijuana vs. Santos Laguna
Things kicked off in Estadio Caliente as Santos was hosted by Los Xolos de Tijuana. Things didn’t get started until the 36th minute when Xolos won a penalty inside the box, newest Xolo Camilo Sanvezzo put it away in front of Jonathan Orozco to the left side of the post after sending the Santos keeper to the far right. Xolos were up 1-0, that was until Santos defender Doria blasted from outside the box from a free-kick a beautiful ball that curved into the top right of the net.
The game was tied up. Then Xolos took over when later in the game Mauro Lainez on a break against Santos tried his luck from a little bit outside the box, bang Xolos would go on to hang on in the win. Santos look or answers after a disappointing loss to the season and Xolos looks to an extent with another win this up and coming week.
Morelia vs. Toluca
Morelia and Toluca went back and forth until the 20th minute when the first implementation of VAR was used. Toluca player Anibel Chala made a bad tackle with his foot out against Morelia player Shaggy Martinez. The ref didn’t like it and sent Chala off with a red, then he used the VAR finger gesture. review came back and the ref changed the red to a yellow.
After play resumed in the 37th minute when Morelia played a high defense the ball was poorly given away by a Morelia defender After a striding Emmanual Gigllotti caught on and Morelia goalkeeper Sebastian Sosa was caught out of position outside the box then was beat by Emmanual for an easy 1-0 goal. Morelia rarely threatened Toluca, and it took three beautiful saves by Morelia keeper Sebastian Sosa just to keep them in the game.
Toluca looked to be firing on all cylinders with coach Jose Manuel De La Torre. back on track where they were a couple of seasons ago. Morelia needs to find more offensive firepower here soon.
Chivas vs. Juarez
Long story short Chivas dominated Juarez 2-0 with goals from returning Chivas player J.J Macias, and forward Alexis Vega. For our review clicks here.
Atletico San Luis vs. Tigres UANL
Not much to say about the game, a pretty lackluster affair that didn’t feature much but missed opportunities from Tigres. To be fair though Atletico San Luis under new coach Alfonso Sosa looked solid defensively, and looked dangerous on the attack when countering against a team of tigres caliber. There was a moment later in the game when Andre-Pierre Gignac Tigres striker tried a bicycle kick and it didn’t go anywhere near the goal. That sums up this game. One point for Atletico that they deserve for lasting the game, as for Tigres they look to get results next week against America which should be a better game for the audience at least.
Queretaro vs. Leon
Leon came into this game with something to prove. they were fortunate to win 2 penalties against a Queretaro side that seems to not be playing as good since they lost midfielder, Luis Romo, to Cruz Azul and talented forward Ake Loba to Monterrey. Queretaro opened the scoring after bad positioning by Leon keeper Rodolfo Cota and a beautiful ball in setting up new player Fabian Castillo to an easy goal. Angel men put away two goals on penalties, and Leonardo Ramos put a header of a goal away just before the half. The third penalty would put the nail in the coffin for Queretaro who hopes to perform as well as they did last year. Leon played lights out as always.
Cruz Azul vs. Atlas
Elias Hernandez opened the scoring from about 30 yards out to a beautiful goal. That’s about the best thing that happened to them the other day. Before the 30th-minute, Orbelin Pineda was sent off with a red for a nasty tackle. Atlas scored two goals on them after that due to Cruz Azul porous defense and new players for Atlas as Ignacio Jeraldinho. Cruz Azul looking to try again next season as this year is off to a bad start. jokes aside, they have to play better. Also, Atlas needs all the points they can get due to relegation concerns.
Pumas vs. Pachuca
Pumas brought in a flock of youngsters. Check out our article to read who. The game featured, to be honest not the best play due to both teams being sloppy, but it produced results for Pumas. Sebastian Saucedo sent an absolute rocket from the left side of the box finishing at the right post. Pumas would score again with a sloppy goal leading up to Marco Robeldo finally putting it in. Pachuca would threaten, but couldn’t finish. Not until Franco Jara scored in the 90th minute due to Pumas giving them a penalty. Either way great start to the season for Pumas and not so much for Pachuca.