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Cruz Azul vs América highlights Matchday 10 in Liga MX

By Thomas Buckley

América defender Bruno Valdez (left) wrestles with Cruz Azul midfielder Orbelin Pineda in the previous Clásico Joven, a game dominated by Cruz Azul. (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images)
América defender Bruno Valdez (left) wrestles with Cruz Azul midfielder Orbelin Pineda in the previous Clásico Joven, a game dominated by Cruz Azul. (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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Cruz Azul v America
Angel Mena, León. Cruz Azul-América highlights Matchday 10 in Liga MX. (Photo by Cesar Gomez/Jam Media/Getty Images) /

León shows off a flowing attack to climb into first place; Tigres scalp Bravos; Rayados escape Guadalajara with a tie. It was an exciting week of Liga MX action…

The marquee match-up of Week 10 in Liga MX provides us with a battle at the top of the table. But we might not get to see América tangle with Cruz Azul in the Estadio Azteca after local authorities asked Liga MX officials to reconsider in light of the Covid-19 virus.

All four Matchday 10 contests on Saturday night were played in empty stadiums, so it’s possible the Junior Classic will go ahead but with no fans in attendance. But more about the Aguilas-Cementeros clash later.

León bounced back from Concacaf Champions League disappointment with a another splendid offensive display. La Fiera defeated UNAM 3-1, a week after a resounding 4-1 win at FC Juárez which came a few days after a listless 3-0 loss at LAFC.

The loss sent the Pumas tumbling further off the pace and moved the Esmeraldas into first place pending the América-Cruz Azul outcome.

Angel Mena led La Fiera against UNAM, scoring once and consistently putting teammates into scoring position. Mena did miss a first-half penalty kick, but his goal earlier was his league-leading 8th on the season.

For their part, the Pumas have now gone four straight games without a win (0-1-3) since taking over first place after Matchday 6. Coach Miguel González has now seen his team concede 3 goals in each of the past three contests. Still, UNAM is holding firm in 5th place … for now.

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In the Saturday nightcap, the Chivas held on for a 1-1 tie against the defending champion Rayados of Monterrey who remain winless and stuck in the cellar with only 5 points after 10 games.

Jesús Molina scored off a corner kick when he poked home the rebound of his own header that had been saved off the line by goalie Marcelo Barovero. Jesús Gallardo equalized in minute 70, firing home after badly beating Chivas right back José Madueña and swooping into the box.

Earlier, FC Juárez saw a 1-0 halftime lead go up in smoke for the second consecutive week. Bravos keeper Iván Vázquez accidentally tipped a cross into his own net just 6 minutes after the restart and then André-Pierre Gignac slotted home his 8 th of the season to put the Tigres up 2-1 in minute 57. Edu Vargas netted the clincher off a lovely Gignac assist in minute 75.

The Bravos made it close in minute 84, but could not remove the sour taste of another second-half collapse. Last week, León scored 4 times in the game’s final 24 minutes to obliterate a 1-0 Bravos advantage.

In other Matchday 10 games, visiting Puebla edged San Luis 1-0 on Saturday night. Host Morelia trounced Querétaro 4-0 for its second straight victory and Tijuana put some distance between itself and the cellar with a 3-2 win over visiting Pachuca.

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