Liga MX Matchday Two Review: Azul Cruise to Victory to Humiliate Monterrey

The second matchday in the Mexican domestic calendar took place this past weekend as América recorded their first win of the campaign whilst Cruz Azul put down a marker in a standout win against fellow title contenders Monterrey. Read our preview HERE.

Friday 12th July 2024

Club América 3-1 Querétaro
Mazatlán 2-2 Atlético San Luís
Tijuana 4-2 Chivas
Atlas 1-1 Tigres

The weekend fixtures got started in the capital as Las Águilas bounced back from an opening day defeat to San Luís. A perfect start was in-store as André Jardine's men were 2-0 to the good in the opening 8 minutes. Javairo Dilrosun and Henry Martin continued their early goalscoring run with goals of their own before the visitors grabbed a goal back through Pablo Barrera. A second loss of the season was confirmed for Querétaro when Martin scored his second goal of the game just before the hour mark.

Mazatlán and San Luís were next up and the visitors were heavily favourites after winning all three of the most recent meetings between the two. That run looked to be extended when Atléti took a 2-0 lead in the second half. A penalty from Léo and a goal from Franck Boli gave the away side a convincing lead before a stunning comeback was on the cards. An 86th minute goal from Gustavo Del Prete started the comeback as Brian Rubio confirmed the result forMazatlán to record their first point of the season in dramatic fashion.

Tijuana welcomed 12-time Liga MX champions Chivas to the Estadio Caliente on matchday two in order to add to their opening day win over Querétaro. Los Xolos took a 1-0 lead into halftime through Domingo Blanco and would later add to that lead through Jose Zuniga. Cancelled out by a Cade Cowell goal, Tijuana responded with two more goals, added by Christian Rivera and Zuniga once more. Armando Gonzalez provided a second goal for Chivas in the 90+10th minute. A 4-2 result which piles on the pressure for Chivas manager Fernando Gago whilst Tijuana sits pretty in 2nd after two wins to kickstart their campaign.

The final game of the night was between Atlas and Tigres. Atlas started their season with a 1-1 tie to Juárez as Tigres edged to a 1-0 win over Necaxa. This matchup was a tightly fought one, following wins for both sides prior to this encounter. First blood went to the home side who scored potentially the goal of the season. Taking a quick short corner, Raymundo Fulgencio curled an effort from a tight angle towards the far post, beating the outstretched, diving attempt of Carlos Rodríguez. The lead would only last for 10 minutes before Tigres responded. Forcing Atlas into some poor mistakes in their own half, the visitors were able to capitalise as Nicolás Ibánez smashed home from close range.

Saturday 13th July 2024

Léon 0-0 Pachuca
Necaxa 4-1 Puebla
Toluca 3-2 Juárez
Santos Laguna 1-1 Pumas
Monterrey 0-4 Cruz Azul

Saturday evening antics started in an uninspiring manner as Léon and Pachuca fought out a goalless draw. Léon were aiming to bounce back from a 4-1 defeat to Pumas in the opening game as Pachuca looked to do the same following a 1-0 loss at the hands of Monterrey. The visitors were reduced to 10-men when Oussama Idrissi was handed a straight red card in the 28th minute, but Léon failed to make the most of their advantage. Seconds left in the game and Victor Barajas was also given a straight red card meaning that both sides ended the game with a man sent off.

Necaxa and Puebla made amends for the lack of goals in the game prior. Five goals between the two as the home side raced into a 4-0 lead with goals from Agustin Palavecino, a brace from Diber Cambindo and Kevin Rosero, making up for the 1-0 loss against Tigres last week. Eduardo Fentanes' side failed to keep a clean sheet as Rafael Duran provided a consolation goal for the visitors.

Five goals in Aguascalientes and another five in the Toluca - Juárez match. New summer signing Paulinho scored twice on his first start for the home side, scoring the match-winner after Jesus Venegas and Angel Zaldivar gave the visitors a lifeline. The win was the first of its kind for Los Rojos Diablos this season after an initial 0-0 draw with Chivas.

Santos Laguna and Pumas were next up on the calendar with the home side looking to provide a response following a last-minute defeat to Puebla on the opening day. They started proceedings in the right manner as Santiago Muñoz converted a penalty just beyond the half-hour mark. Pumas had an answer with seconds left of the first half as Cesar Huerta headed past Carlos Acevado in the Santos net. Anderson Santamaria was given a second yellow card for the home side late into the second half, but Pumas failed to make them pay.

The last game of the weekend was destined to be a cracker. A replay of the 2024 Liga MX Clausura semi final, Monterrey against Cruz Azul. On that occasion, Los Azules were victorious but only by virtue of their league position, following an on-aggregate draw. Georgios Giakoumakis made his debut for the visitors, following a $9 million move from Atlanta, whilst Monterrey missed new Sevilla signing Óliver Torres. Azul opened the scoring in the 14th minute through Ignacio Rivero before Rodolfo Rotondi scored a double, a later being an inch-perfect curling finishing, leaving Rayados shot-stopper Esteban Andrada stranded. The Rayados fans were left in disbelief of what was happening right before their eyes as the three points were sealed in the 77th minute when Angel Sepulveda added his name to the score sheet.

Which teams impressed you on Matchday Two of the Liga MX Apertura, let us know!