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Pumas Continues Unbeaten with Win Against Santos

By Mahonri Mendoza

TORREON, MEXICO - SEPTEMBER 09: Palyers of Pumas gather during the 9th round match between Santos Laguna and Pumas UNAM as part of the Torneo Guard1anes 2020 Liga MX at Corona Stadium on September 9, 2020 in Torreon, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Guadarrama/Getty Images)
TORREON, MEXICO - SEPTEMBER 09: Palyers of Pumas gather during the 9th round match between Santos Laguna and Pumas UNAM as part of the Torneo Guard1anes 2020 Liga MX at Corona Stadium on September 9, 2020 in Torreon, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Guadarrama/Getty Images) /
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Pumas visited the Corona Stadium to face-off against Santos, who have not picked up a win in five games at home. Pumas was there to maintain the home side’s winless streak.

Andres Lillini started off the game with a 4-4-2 formation featuring Talavera on goal. Alejandro Mayorga, Nicolás Freire, Johan Vazquez, and Alan Mozo composing the back four. Juan Iturbe, Erick Lira, Andres Iniestra, and Carlos Gutierrez in charge of the midfield. The Argentinian-Paraguayan duo Juan Dinneno and Carlos Gonzalez would lead Pumas’ attack.

Lillini’s men came off a fantastic win against Puebla at home and came in search of a third-straight win in this Guard1anes tournament. One goal to achieve during this game was to maintain the unbeaten streak going against tough opposition.

The first half showcased both teams going towards the goal. Both teams had opportunities to open up the scoring. It wasn’t until the 28th minute when Juan Iturbe took a shot from more than 30-yards to open up the scoring. Iturbe scored his first goal this season for Pumas in his nine disputed games. Some positive notes from the first half saw a very dominant midfield—both Iniestra and Juan Iturbe, setting up the team to create chances to score. However, the credit does go to Santos, who was very tough to break until Iturbe’s goal went in.

TORREON, MEXICO – SEPTEMBER 09: Juan Iturbe of Pumas celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team during the 9th round match between Santos Laguna and Pumas UNAM as part of the Torneo Guard1anes 2020 Liga MX at Corona Stadium on September 9, 2020, in Torreon, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Guadarrama/Getty Images)
TORREON, MEXICO – SEPTEMBER 09: Juan Iturbe of Pumas celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team during the 9th round match between Santos Laguna and Pumas UNAM as part of the Torneo Guard1anes 2020 Liga MX at Corona Stadium on September 9, 2020, in Torreon, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Guadarrama/Getty Images) /

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Andres Iniestra had a good game, and as a result, added a goal from distance to add to his performance. Juan Iturbe felt some physical disturbances that saw him subbed off in the starting minutes of the match. Santos pulled a goal back with 20 minutes left to decrease the auriazulez lead. Both teams tried to score a goal in the dying minutes, but the efforts were either blocked or wasted.

With Wednesday’s win, the Auriazulez now jump to the first place of the general standings with 19 points, five wins, four draws, and still the only undefeated team in the Guard1anes 2020. Pumas has been phenomenal this tournament and is a clear contender for the title with just eight more games.

The auriazules’ next three games see them hosting Atletico San Luis, go on the road to face-off against Leon, and host Necaxa. Lillini’s men are united and, from an outside perspective, are on route to do big things this tournament.