Puebla blanks mighty Tigres; Atlas opens title defense with win

The Liga MX giant-killers are back for an encore and this time the Tigres were the victims. A season after defeating both league finalists and reaching the Liga MX quarterfinals for the second straight time, Puebla claimed another pelt for its trophy case. The low-budget Camoteros refused to be intimidated by “El Volcán” and the rabid Tigres fans, shutting out the preseason favorites 2-0 in workmanlike fashion.

In minute 27, Maxi Araujo escaped down the left flank and blasted a shot off the post that ricocheted off trailing defender Carlos Salcedo and into the net behind Nahuel Guzmán. Just before halftime, Pablo Parra converted a penalty kick and the visitors took a 2-0 lead into the locker room.

Puebla withstood a desperate fightback by the Tigres and Antony Silva made 9 big saves to preserve the clean sheet. Coach Nicolás Lacarmón continues to work his magic even as the front office pares back his roster year-after-year. This season, the Camoteros must make do without playmaker Christian Tabó (sold to Cruz Azul).

Guillermo Martínez is the nominal point man in attack, but his teammates failed to target him and he grew more and more frustrated as the game wore on. Puebla will need to fine tune its offense (and make better use of Martínez) if it hopes to make a deeper playoff run this season.

Elsewhere across Liga MX

Atlas started its title defense with blasé 1-0 win thanks to an own-goal by Atlético de San Luis defender Ramón Juárez. Top scorer Julio Furch and left back Luis Reyes were unavailable as they were enmeshed in Covid protocols, but the club’s trademark stifling defense won the day.

New acquisition Emanuel Aguilera (from América) slotted in next to Hugo Nervo on the left side of the Zorros’ three-man back line, filling the hole left by Jesús Angulo (sold to the Tigres). Atlas held the Tuneros to three shots on goal, all of which were hoovered up by Camilo Vargas.

In Mexico City, Cruz Azul won its first two games for the first time since 2018 and has a perfect 6 points, only trailing the imperious Pumas (8 goals scored, 1 goal conceded). The Cementeros have struggled on offense but the three goals tallied thus far have been sufficient for two victories. Newcomer Charlie Rodríguez scored the lone goal, his second of the season.

At the northern border, Tijuana outplayed last season’s losing finalist León but only managed a 1-1 draw. The Xolos outshot the visiting Esmeraldas 21-7, but Rodolfo Cota was in fine form, making 7 saves to preserve the tie. León defender Stevin Barreiro left the game with a nasty-looking ankle injury as Tijuana played a physical match, committing 18 fouls and collecting four yellow cards.

There are two more Matchday 2 contests on Sunday: Toluca hopes to eliminate the bad taste of Week 1’s 5-0 loss to UNAM when Santos (1-1 draw vs Tigres) pays a visit, while Pachuca (2-0 win over Atlético de San Luis in Week 1) hosts the Chivas (3-0 winner over Mazatlán FC).