Liga MX: Late goal frustrates Bravos’ playoff plans

Puebla earns invitation to Liga MX postseason party

An inspired FC Juárez came within 5 minutes of securing a wildcard berth, but a late Henry Martín header allowed visiting América to equalize and eliminate the Bravos on the final weekend of the Liga MX Guardianes 2020 season.

Earlier Friday night, host Puebla rode a first-half penalty to a to a dull 1-0 win over last-place Atlético de San Luis. The two results allowed Puebla and Toluca to claim the final Liga MX playoff spots.

Juárez came out against second-place América with energy and determination knowing they needed a win to clinch a postseason invitation.

Crisp, decisive possession play kept América on its back foot in the early going. In minute 9, Darío Lezcano ran onto a through ball in minute 9 and slotted home.

The Bravos maintained momentum for the next quarter-hour but could not find the net again despite finding time and space in their offensive third. The Aguilas absorbed the pressure, satisfied with tactical discipline and defensive effort.

In the final half-hour, Juárez’s intensity began to wane and their possessions became shorter. América began to ebb forward. Bravos goalie Enrique Palos denied Sebastián Córdova in minute 68, one of four saves he contributed, but the pressure was mounting.

The Aguilas finally converted in minute 86 off a free kick with Martín rising above his marker to redirect the Alonso Escoboza cross. Palos got his fingertips on it, but only managed to knock it off the inside of his right post whereupon the ball bounded into the net.

The 1-1 draw leaves América with 32 points and a +9 goal differential, but that might not be good enough to hold onto second place. Three teams are sitting with 29 points – UNAM (+11), Cruz Azul (+8), and Monterrey (+7) – in spitting distance of overtaking the Aguilas.

Since UNAM and Cruz Azul play each other, América can finish no worse than fourth, good enough for a first-round playoff bye.

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Juárez was left with 19 points, 1 point back of both Puebla and Toluca, knocking them out of the Liga MX postseason party. If the Bravos had won to reach 21 points, Toluca (20 points) would have been forced to pick up at least a point against league-leading León because of their –5 goal differential. Puebla ended a 7-game winless streak by winning its last two games, climbing to 20 points and its –3 differential was enough to rise above Toluca.

Puebla’s 1-0 win also shut the door to Mazatlán’s Liga MX dreams. Mazatlán had long-shot hopes of playing into December. Tomás Boy’s club needed a win against Santos on Sunday to reach 19 points so was hoping neither Puebla nor Juárez would win. While the Bravos obliged, the Camoteros eased past the cellar-dwelling Tuneros in an insipid match that was basically decided as soon as Santi Ormeño converted from the penalty spot in minute 26.

Although all 12 playoff spots have been determined, there is still plenty of drama remaining on this final Liga MX weekend. In addition to the battle for Top 4 seeds, the wildcard match-ups have yet to be determined.

The two contests with a direct impact on the wildcard seeds are Guadalajara (23 points) vs Monterrey (29) and Pachuca (25) vs. Necaxa (21). The Chivas could drop as low as 10th or climb to 6th, while the Rayados could claim the No. 2 seed or tumble down to 6th. As for the Tuzos, their range is from 6th to 9th and Necaxa’s is 8th to 11th.

The Liga MX goal-scoring title is also yet to be decided. Cruz Azul’s Jonathan Rodríguez leads with 12 goals, followed by Tigres ace André-Pierre Gignac (11 goals).