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
The Pumas and Chivas spent 90 minutes on Sunday perfecting ineptitude as the two battled to a scoreless draw. (Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images) /

Pumas-Chivas stink up CU; Goals of the Week

Two members of the Liga MX Big 4 continue on a downward track, impersonating mid-table teams … or worse (as is the case with the Pumas).

While América sits in first place and Cruz Azul is the reigning champ, Guadalajara and UNAM are not living up to the reputation of the Big 4.

The Chivas made a late push last season to claim a wildcard berth before crashing out in the first series while the Pumas finished in 15th place. Neither club invested much over the summer (both have considerable financial troubles), each hoping that roster holdovers would improve and academy products would develop into reliable contributors this season.

Unfortunately for the rabid fan bases of these two franchises, this has not been the case.

The sad-sack Pumas were in last place for a few weeks and boast the least-productive offense in Liga MX (3 goals in 8 matches). The Chivas have been as low as 13th and currently sit at the cusp of the wildcard spots, all while dealing with locker room crisis after locker room crisis.

A short-handed UNAM squad (three starters were ejected in the previous match) hosted Guadalajara on Sunday and the only good thing about the contest was that there were no fans in situ to witness the uninspired show.

The game ended in a scoreless draw and, except for the outstanding play of Chivas keeper Raúl Gudiño, absolutely no one singled themselves out for commendation. One note: Pumas right back Pablo Bennevendo (filling in for the suspended Alan Mozo) made his debut and rather held his own against bronze medal-winner Uriel Antuna.

Don’t miss these three golazos

There were only two goals off of free kicks all of last season (América’s Richard Sánchez and Tigres ace André-Pierre Gignac). So when Santos defender Matheus Doria eyed the net from 28 meters away, you can be forgiven for looking away. But if you did, you missed a golazo. The Brazilian back-liner nailed the tying goal with only 3 minutes remaining. Unfortunately, host Tijuana was gifted a penalty kick a few seconds later, denying Santos Laguna a road point.

Two nights later, Santos fans would get a different outcome when the Lady Guerreros hosted the Chivas in one of the best Liga MX Femenil matches of all time. Santos took an early 2-0 lead only for the Chivas to tie it up before the half. The Chivas then twice erased 1-goal deficits, knotting the score at 4-4 in minute 90+3, apparently preserving their unbeaten record. That’s when Nancy Quiñones – also a left-footed Santos defender – stepped up to take a free kick from about 23 meters. Golazo! Quiñones rippled the net at 90+5 to give the Guerreras a 5-4 win.

The final Liga MX Goal of the Week came from Toluca fullback Diego Rigonato – a game-winner on the road in minute 89 – as described in the previous segment of this article. Have a look.

Next. Crowded FIFA calendar takes toll on Liga MX. dark

Which of those goals – all three scored by defenders, mind you – deserve to be The Liga MX Goal of the Week?

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