Late goal lifts Necaxa into Liga MX wildcard playoff

Xolos, Gallos see Liga MX postseason dreams wrecked

Necaxa clinched a spot in the expanded Liga MX playoffs thanks to a late header by Alex Zendejas in the first game of a Friday night triple-header.

Later Friday, Pachuca earned a 2-0 road win at Tijuana to knock the Xolos out of playoff contention and 10-man FC Juárez ended Querétaro’s playoff hopes with a 1-0 win.

On Thursday, Mazatlán FC spanked last-place Atlético de San Luis 5-0 boosted by a Camilo Sanvezzo hat trick.

In Aguascalientes, Necaxa overcame an early deficit and took a 2-1 lead on the hour mark but failed to protect it. Toluca benefited from controversial calls by referee Fernando Hernández and both Diablos goals were scored by players who arguably should have been red-carded.

Haret Ortega was cautioned in minute 14, then two minutes later handled the ball just outside the area. Hernández overlooked the second yellow card, allowing the lanky defender to stay in the game and Ortega scored Toluca’s first goal in minute 18.

Just before halftime, the ref showed a red card to Rubens Sambueza but was convinced by video replay to change it to a yellow card although this reporter is not convinced the punishment should have been rescinded. Sambueza scored the equalizer in minute 72.

In minute 90+1, Necaxa striker Lucas Passerini carried to the touch line and chipped a cross over keeper Alfredo Saldívar where Zendejas was flying in unmarked at the back post. The midfielder banged home the game-winnner to boost the Rayos past Toluca into 10th place.

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The 3-2 win – the club’s fourth straight – secures a wildcard berth for Necaxa who have now qualified for the Liga MX playoffs three seasons in a row. The Rayos would likely not have earned a postseason spot last season as they were in 14th place when it was canceled.

The Liga MX increased the playoffs from 8 to 12 teams for the Guardianes 2020 and Necaxa became the 10th team to qualify for the playoffs. Toluca needs a tie in their season finale against first-place León or must hope that Puebla does not win both of its remaining games (at Atlas tonight or vs. Atlético de San Luis next weekend).

Up at the border, goals by Víctor Guzmán and Roberto de la Rosa (from the penalty spot) strengthened visiting Pachuca’s hold on the No. 8 seed. The struggling Xolos – who have failed to score in five straight Liga MX matches – still have a chance at hardware as they’ll face Monterrey in the return leg of the Copa MX Final on Nov. 4. But Tijuana will have to figure out how to score since they must overcome the 1-0 first-leg deficit favoring the Rayados.

Pachuca will host Necaxa in a season finale that will impact the final seedings for the Tuzos and Rayos. If the two teams somehow manage to hold their current positions in the Liga MX table (Tuzos at No. 7 and Rayos at No. 10), they would face off in the wildcard round.

In Cd. Juárez, Bravos captain Darío Lezcano scored 4 minutes after teammate J.J. Esquivel was ejected for a brutal tackle on Martín Rea in minute 77. The victory lifted FC Juárez into 12th place with 18 points, 2 points behind No. 11 Toluca

Mazatlán’s win on Thursday night left them with 16 points, keeping them in the running for the 12th and final playoff spot.

After the embarrassing 5-0 rout, San Luis fired coach Guillermo Vázquez, the seventh Liga MX manager canned this season.