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Pumas, Tuneros fill out Liga MX playoff bracket

By Thomas Buckley

Favio Álvarez celebrates after scoring 30 seconds into the second half, a goal that sparked the Pumas' big comeback (Photo by Agustin Cuevas/Getty Images)
Favio Álvarez celebrates after scoring 30 seconds into the second half, a goal that sparked the Pumas' big comeback (Photo by Agustin Cuevas/Getty Images) /
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Atlético de San Luis winger Germán Berterame missed a penalty kick that would have broken the tie atop the Liga MX scoring table. Instead, he shared the title with Nico López of the Tigres. (Photo by Cesar Gomez/Jam Media/Getty Images) /

San Luis bumps Mazatlán out of the picture

Sunday’s nightcap in Estadio Corona was considerably more tame than the Pumas-Cementeros battle royal though the scoreless draw was enough to lift visiting Atlético de San Luis into the playoffs.

San Luis finished the 2020-2021 tournament dead last, resulting in a 120 million-peso penalty (there is presently no relegation in Liga MX; financial penalties are charged the three bottom finishers instead), but the Tuneros rose from the ashes this season to claim the No. 12 seed on goal differential over Mazatlán FC.

The 0-0 result was equally productive for Santos Laguna as the Guerreros climbed from the No. 6 to the No. 5 seed which means these two teams will meet again in the wildcard match in two weeks’ time.

Guillermo Aldama’s men managed three shots on goal and dominated possession but could not get anything past Tuneros keeper Marcelo Barovero. The demanding coach informally known as “the Uruguayan Guardiola” won’t be satisfied with his club’s performance, but the draw was enough to leapfrog Toluca and avoid a tougher wildcard match-up against UNAM.

San Luis generated very little offense but missed the best opportunity of the night. In minute 36, Germán Berterame sent a penalty kick wide of the left post. The miss not only cost the Tuneros a chance at the No. 11 seed but kept Berterame from claiming the Liga MX scoring title outright. The Argentine winger finished the season with 9 goals, sharing the Golden Boot with Tigres talisman Nico López.

The Liga MX wildcard bracket

The Liga MX playoffs resume after the upcoming FIFA break, with the wildcard round set for Nov. 20-21. The four higher seeds will play host in a single-game elimination. The away-goals rule will not be in effect (in other words, the lower seed must win to advance).

The schedule will be announced in the coming days (two games on Saturday, two on Sunday). These are the contests: No. 12 Atlético de San Luis at No. 5 Santos Laguna; No. 11 UNAM at No. 6 Toluca; No. 10 Guadalajara at No. 7 Puebla; and, No. 9 Monterrey at No. 8 Cruz Azul.

dark. Next. Montes injury dampens Rayados playoff hopes

The Cruz Azul-Monterrey game will be played in an empty Estadio Azteca as the Cementeros were slapped with a one-game stadium ban after fans at last week’s León match shouted the opprobrious chant that continues to bedevil the league and the national team.

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