Pumas upset by Monarcas in the Olympic Universitario

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 23: Miguel Sansores (L) of Morelia fights for the ball with Johan Vasquez (R) of Pumas during the 7th round match between Pumas UNAM and Morelia as part of the Torneo Clausura 2020 Liga MX at Olimpico Universitario Stadium on February 23, 2020 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 23: Miguel Sansores (L) of Morelia fights for the ball with Johan Vasquez (R) of Pumas during the 7th round match between Pumas UNAM and Morelia as part of the Torneo Clausura 2020 Liga MX at Olimpico Universitario Stadium on February 23, 2020 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images)

Pumas, on Sunday noon, received Monarcas Morelia for the seventh week of the Liga MX Clausura 2020. Pumas had one mission at hand: to continue their unbeaten streak. Morelia, to get themselves out of the bottom of the table.

The Spaniard line up his player in a 4-5-1 with Pollo Saldivar on goal. Alan Mozo, Luis Quintana, Johan Vazquez, Alejandro Mayorg in the back four. Andres Iniestra, Marco Garcia, Pablo Barrera, Fabio Alvarez, and Sebastian Saucedo in the midfield. Carlos Gonzalez was the solitary “9” up front leading the Auriazule’s attack.

Morelia’s players celebrate after beating Pumas by 2-1 in their Mexican Clausura tournament football match at the Mexico 68 stadium in Mexico City on February 23, 2020. (Photo by CLAUDIO CRUZ / AFP) (Photo by CLAUDIO CRUZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Morelia’s players celebrate after beating Pumas by 2-1 in their Mexican Clausura tournament football match at the Mexico 68 stadium in Mexico City on February 23, 2020. (Photo by CLAUDIO CRUZ / AFP) (Photo by CLAUDIO CRUZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Minutes into the first half, via a corner kick, Luis Quintana opened up the scoreboard with after successfully beating his mark and heading it deep into the goal defended by the Monarcas goalkeeper. Later in the first half around the 30-minute mark, Monarcas Morelia scored a goal that would level things through Fernando Aristeguieta only to be ruled out offside by VAR.

Both teams were on the constant attack with clear chances to either increase the lead or be leveled. The first half ended in favor of the Auriazules beating Monarcas partially 1-0.

Minutes from the second half starting, Alfredo Saldivar made a massive mistake from a shot outside the box that well slipped his hands, and eventually, the ball made itself to the back of the net. Monarcas were more dominant throughout the second half. Pumas also had chances to get back into the lead.

In the dying minutes of the game, Monarcas scored a goal that would seal the game, and Pumas lost their unbeaten streak. Pumas, suffering their first loss of the season, fall to the second place of the table, and making city rivals Club America taking the first place.

Pumas next game face Tigres Saturday night for the eight weeks of the Liga MX. Pumas will be looking to get back on their unbeaten run when they face a tough opponent such as Tigres at the Volcan.