Liga MX Review: Cruz Azul Eases Past Pumas in the Clásico Cementero-Aurizaul

Friday 25th October 2024

Santos Laguna 0-0 Mazatlán
Puebla 1-0 Chivas
León 4-0 Querétaro

Santos Laguna and Mazatlán both find themselves outside of the playoff contention and neither were able to help last-ditched attempts to change their fates after a goalless draw at the Estadio Corona.

Puebla ended a six-game losing streak with a surprise win over managerless Chivas. The only goal of the game came on the hour mark as Emiliano Gomez scored his third goal of the campaign whilst on loan from Uruguayan side Boston River. The result leaves Los Rojiblancos in eighth place, whilst Puebla closes the gap to six points away from the playoff positions.

The final game of the night was between two sides competing at the bottom of the table, but it was León who was able to breathe a sigh of relief with an emphatic win. Los Leones took a one-goal lead into the break through Angel Estrada but three goals in the last twenty minutes from Luciano Cabral, Diego Hernández and the legendary Andrés Guardado helped secure a crucial win as Los Gallos slump to the bottom of the table.

Saturday 26th October 2024

Pumas 0-2 Cruz Azul
Tigres 2-1 Pachuca
Atlas 0-0 Tijuana

The game of the week was in the capital as in-form Pumas hosted city rivals Cruz Azul. Angel Sepúlveda provided the first twist of the game within the first 60 seconds, giving the league leaders an early lead. Cementing their impressive start to the game with a second after 12 minutes when Ignacio Rivero netted his fifth goal of the season. Pumas could not find a way back into the game, suffering a first defeat in six games. Next up is a visit to Guadalajara to face Chivas next weekend.

Tigres managed to respond after two league defeats against city rivals Monterrey and Mazatlán by getting the better of 15th place Pachuca. Juan Brunetta scored his second goal of the season to give the hosts the lead in the first half before Los Tuzos responded less than 10 minutes before the interval. Little could separate the two in the second half until Jonathan Herrera found the breakthrough in the 78th minute. Fans were left with a nail-biting end to the game after Javier Aquino received a second yellow card in added time, but Pachuca was unable to take advantage.

Atlas played hosts to Tijuana with the two sides looking to solidify their statuses in the playoffs. Sat in 9th and 5th before kick-off, the two played out a bore draw with the Guadalajara outfit slumping to 10th as Los Xolos jumped a point ahead of Pumas.

Sunday 27th October 2024

Juárez 2-4 San Luís
Necaxa 1-3 Toluca
Club América 2-1 Monterrey

In the city of Juárez, fans were given a six-goal thriller but the result favoured the visiting San Luís. Jumping into a three-goal lead, fans feared the worst when Sebastien Lamonge scored a brace and Mateo Klimowicz added a goal of his own but Juárez fought back as Oscar Estupinan scored a double of his own. Aiming for a remarkable comeback, all hopes were shut down when Yan Philipe gave the visitors a fourth goal, taking all the points back to San Luís Potosí.

Toluca continued its challenge on Cruz Azul at the top of the table as Jesús Angulo netted a hattrick before Agustín Palavecino offered a consolation goal for the home side. A result takes their run up to five games without defeat for Los Diablos Rojos as Necaxa falls to 13th place, behind Puebla and León.

The final game of the weekend was a box office affair in the capital as Las Águilas and Los Rayados met at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes. A slow first half was met with a quick start in the second as Brían Rodríguez gave the home side the lead before some late drama ensued. Jordi Cortizo gave Monterrey an 87th minute equaliser but the visitors would only hold on for two minutes when Alvaro Fidalgo smashed home to steal all three points for América.

Which team impressed you the most this weekend? Let us know!