Liga MX fans get their wish – a ‘Super Clásico’

Liga MX fans get what they want as Copa GNP semifinals pit Cruz Azul vs Tigres

On the same day Liga MX released its Apertura 2020 schedule, Mexican soccer fans learned we’d get treated to a Super Clásico before the season kicks off on July 23.

Sunday’s results in the Copa GNP produced an América-Chivas semifinal match-up after the Tigres allowed a late equalizer and the Pumas came up empty against Toluca.

The Pumas failure to defeat the Diablos Rojos (a scoreless draw) allowed América to retain second place in Group A behind red-hot Cruz Azul. In Group B, Atlas scratched out a draw by scoring in injury time and the dropped points cost the Tigres the top spot.

More from Playing for 90

• Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
• Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
• Barcelona put five past Real Betis
• Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
• Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory

The lapse in concentration no doubt infuriated coach “Tuca” Ferretti who saw his Tigres finish the group stage with 5 points (1-2-0), 1 point back of Guadalajara whose 3-1 victory on Sunday gave the “Rebaño Sagrado” a 2-0-1 record. The Chivas’s only blemish was a 2-0 spanking from the Tigres on Wednesday.

In Group A, Cruz Azul routed América 4-1 on Saturday night to complete the group stage with a perfect 3-0-0 record. The Aguilas got on the board first with a spectacular solo effort by Sebastián Córdova and Miguel Herrera’s men dominated the first 40 minutes but an own goal off a corner kick sent the Mexico City rivals into the break knotted up at a goal apiece.

The Cementeros emerged from the locker room with a purpose and “La Máquina” exploded for three goals in 11 minutes. Top scorer Jonathan Rodríguez chased a lead pass down the left flank and ripped a shot from an impossible angle that nestled into the netting just under the crossbar and inside the far post.

A poor outlet pass led to a quick conversion for Cruz Azul youngster Alexis Gutiérrez from right in front of net at minute 52 and minutes later Rodríguez found Orbelin Pineda inside the box with space and the former Chivas star slotted home to make it 4-1. Game, set match.

That left the Aguilas with a 1-1-1 mark and at the mercy of the Pumas who needed a 2-0 win to deliver a knockout blow to América. It was not to be and Miguel González watched his young team settle for a 0-0 result and a 0-2-1 record. The outcome means the Pumas are eliminated from the preseason Liga MX tournament.

Earlier Saturday, the Chivas made short work of Mazatlán FC, easing past the team formerly known as Monarcas Morelia with a 3-1 win. That allowed Guadalajara to leap-frog past the Tigres pending the Atlas result.

Atlas threatened to knock the Tigres out of the tournament by scoring first (a win would have boosted the Zorros into second place in the group), but star striker André-Pierre Gignac broke free down the right channel and his centering pass was bumbled into the net by two Atlas defenders. Minutes later, newcomer Leo Fernández led Gignac perfectly into the box and the Frenchman rounded the Atlas keeper and knocked the ball home as he tumbled to the turf.

But the Tigres forgot to slam the door shut and in minute 90+3, the Zorros pushed forward with numbers and Atlas defender Alejandro Guzmán left-footed a centering pass inside the far post. That cheered Liga MX fans who will now get to enjoy a “Clásico de Clásicos.”

The preseason Liga MX Cup now moves to Mexico City for the Final Four. Group B matches were held in Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron, while Group A was hosted at UNAM’s Estadio Olímpico Universitario. Both semifinal matches will take place at the CU with Cruz Azul taking on the Tigres on Wednesday night and the Super Clásico set for Thursday night. The final is scheduled for Sunday.