Tigres edge Chivas to snare third Liga MX playoff ticket

The Tigres clinched a berth in the Liga MX playoffs with a nervy 2-1 win over Guadalajara, while the loss means the Chivas face a must-win game in the season finale at Mazatlán FC.

Matchday 16 continues on Sunday with fourth-place Toluca hosting fifth-place León in a battle over a first-round bye followed by the “Junior Classic” pitting the reigning Liga MX Champs – Cruz Azul – against league-leading América. The Aguilas already have the No. 1 seed sewn up but a win over the Cementeros might see the holders dethroned in the regular season.

André-Pierre Gignac scored two of the prettiest goals you’ll see to lead the Tigres past the Chivas, boosting Miguel Herrera’s club into second place, a point behind Atlas (26 points) who sit 8 adrift of América. Gignac opened the scoring with a brilliant free kick from 26 meters, and doubled the lead by slotting home a nifty drop cross from sub Jesús Dueñas. The goals were only the second and third on the season for the Frenchman who has missed nine games.

Guadalajara has but 19 points after 16 games, good for 12th place (the final playoff spot), but Atlético San Luis would leap-frog the Chivas with a win vs. Monterrey Sunday and both UNAM (18 points) and Pachuca (17 points) have a game in hand. By the time Friday’s game at Mazatlán kicks off, the Chivas could be as low as 15th.

Still nine unclaimed spots in Liga MX playoffs

The Tigres joined América and Atlas with playoff tickets punched though the second-place Zorros squandered a chance to secure a first-round bye Thursday night against last-place Tijuana.

“Los Rojinegros” failed to score against the worst defense in Liga MX (the Xolos had conceded 25 goals through 15 contests) just a week after putting six in the net against Atlético de San Luis. Atlas can clinch no worse than 4th with a win Thursday against second-last Querétaro.

Friday night saw Necaxa squeak past visiting Mazatlán FC with a late penalty conversion, keeping the Rayos’ Liga MX playoff dreams alive and slowing the Cañoneros bid to claim their first-ever postseason berth.

Also Friday, Puebla climbed from 11th to 6th after dominating FC Juárez, improving to 5-3-2 since a 0-3-3 start to the Apertura 2021. The Camoteros visit Toluca in their season finale knowing that anything less than a win could see their season end, depending what else happens on the final matchday of the Liga MX season.

As for the Bravos of Juárez, they remain mathematically alive, but their –8 goal differential makes a wildcard spot very unlikely.

With 15 games remaining (three Sunday, three make-up games and a full slate of nine Matchday 17 contests), 12 clubs are fighting over nine playoff invitations.