Liga MX Final all set as Santos holds off Puebla
Santos Laguna will try to become the fourth wildcard team to win the Liga MX title after advancing to the Guardianes 2021 Final over a plucky Puebla side, defeating the No. 3 seed Camoteros 3-1 on aggregate.
The Guerreros will now take on the top-seeded Cementeros of Cruz Azul, a rematch of the Clausura 2008 Final won by Santos. Cruz Azul advanced to the Liga MX Final by knocking out Puebla 1-0 on aggregate.
The Finals appearance is the first for “Los Laguneros” since they were crowned champions in the Clausura 2018 season. The last Finals appearance for the Cementeros came six months later, but they lost to América in the Apertura 2018 Finals. Cruz Azul has not won a Liga MX title since 1997.
Final pits two best defenses in Liga MX
Scoring could be at a premium in the Final as Cruz Azul boasts the stingiest defense in Liga MX (allowing only 11 goals in 17 regular-season games) against the league’s most aggressive defense as Santos makes a practice of harassing opponents for 90 minutes.
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The Guerreros did just that Sunday night, chasing Puebla around the Estadio Cuauhtémoc pitch the entire game in protecting its 3-0 advantage from the first leg.
Needing three goals to advance to the Final, the host Camoteros were unable to get a shot on goal until minute 35 and that was a speculative 22-meter bounder right at Santos keeper Carlos Acevedo.
Seconds earlier, the visitors had spoiled a chance to slam the door shut. In minute 31, Diego Valdés lost his marker at the far post with a clever back cut but his header banged harmlessly off the outside of the metal.
In minute 38, a Camoteros corner kick pin-balled inside the box, finding Santi Ormeño at the back post, but midfielder Alan Cervantes was johnny-on-the-spot to deny Puebla’s leading scorer.
Early in the second half, Puebla got a second shot on goal and the home fans erupted. Christian Tabó shook free of Cervantes in the right channel and raced into the box toward the touchline. The Uruguayan playmaker zipped a cross through the legs of Santos defender Matheus Dória toward the goal mouth where Ormeño was able to poke the ball past Acevedo.
Unfortunately for “La Franja,” Santos did not lose its poise and they tightened the circle, denying Puebla another shot on goal until the frantic final minutes of the match. Despite unleashing 11 shots during the second half, Puebla was unable to dent the onion bag again.
Rematch from Opening Night
Santos survived the intense pressure applied by the Camoteros who dominated possession (61%) but the Guerreros forced Puebla into innumerable turnovers.
Now they must prepare for the team that held top spot in the Liga MX table from Week 8 on. The Cementeros are not just defensive bullies. They also scored 26 goals to lead the league (tied most with América and Toluca).
Cruz Azul chasing ninth title. dark. Next
These two teams met back on Matchday 1 in Torreón with the host Guerreros edging Cruz Azul 1-0, winning on a Diego Valdés goal just after the hour. The last time they met in a playoff series came in the Clausura 2013 semifinals and Cruz Azul dominated, advancing to the Liga MX Final on a 5-1 aggregate.