Playing for 90
Fansided

Matchday 8 offered Liga MX fans a little bit of everything

By Thomas Buckley

Alvaro Fidalgo (left) celebrates with Nico Benedetti after the latter provided the assist on Fidalgo's goa against Mazatlán FCl. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Alvaro Fidalgo (left) celebrates with Nico Benedetti after the latter provided the assist on Fidalgo's goa against Mazatlán FCl. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /
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Liga MX Week 8
Xolos fullback Brayan Angulo reacts after Santos goalie Gibran Lajud gets a toe on his shot. The Xolos would go on to get their first win of the season. (Photo by Francisco Vega/Getty Images) /

Remaining winless teams get off the schneid

The FC Juárez Bravos pulled off the upset of the season, defeating holders Cruz Azul, but remain in last place since their fellow cellar-dwellers also earned home wins.

The champs were without nine key players who pulled international duty during the FIFA break (five with El Tri, four in South America) and coach Juan Reynoso likely preferred to have them well-rested for Thursday’s Concacaf Champions League semifinal clash against Monterrey.

Even so, the Cementeros took an early lead (scoring in minute 4) only to turn into a bumbling unit the remainder of the match. Coach “Tuca” Ferretti saw his Bravos play with poise and commitment, taking a 2-1 lead into the half by scoring off two set pieces. The home team dug in, preventing “La Máquina” from getting a second shot on goal to preserve the advantage.

In Tijuana, the Xolos benefited from a questionable penalty call in minute 90 to collect their first win of the season. Santos – missing three key players who had been on international duty in South America – had tied the game in minute 87 thanks to a splendid free kick by defender Matheus Doria, but the visitors had every right to feel cheated after ref Luis Enrique Santander invented a foul in the box (and the VAR official apparently did not feel inclined to persuade him otherwise).

In Querétaro, the Gallos Blancos smothered hapless Necaxa and cruised to a 3-0 win that was well-deserved. New coach Leo Ramos got a victory in his second game on the bench since taking over for Héctor Altamirano was fired following the club’s 0-3-3 start.

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