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Puebla jumps on Gallos early, remain joint top with champs

By Thomas Buckley

Puebla defender Juan Pablo Segovia reacts after scoring his team's second goal in minute 32. The Camoteros defeated Querétaro 2-0. (Photo by Cesar Gomez/Jam Media/Getty Images)
Puebla defender Juan Pablo Segovia reacts after scoring his team's second goal in minute 32. The Camoteros defeated Querétaro 2-0. (Photo by Cesar Gomez/Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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Liga MX Puebla, Atlas top 4
Jair Torres (right) celebrates with Julio Furch after the latter set up the former for Atlas’ second goal as the Liga MX champs hosted Santos Laguna in a Matchday 4 contest. (Photo by ULISES RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images) /

A two-week “vacation” didn’t seem to impact Puebla as the Camoteros fashioned a comfortable 2-0 victory at Querétaro Sunday to remain atop the Liga MX standings.

The resumption of league play after the FIFA break also saw the return to action of Julio Furch, who’d missed the first three games of the season with Covid-19 complications. The striker helped Liga MX champs Atlas to a 2-1 win over struggling Santos Laguna by assisting on both Zorros goals.

In the nightcap, Tigres appeared poised to cruise to an easy win over last-place Mazatlán FC but defensive mistakes allowed the Cañoneros to erase a two-goal deficit just after the hour. Instead of collapsing, however, Miguel Herrera’s men responded with two more goals (the first coming after a questionable penalty call) to sneak out of “El Volcán” with a 4-3 triumph.

Matchday 4 in Liga MX continues Monday night when León hosts Cruz Azul and Wednesday will see the Chivas visit Cd. Juárez for a game postponed from Saturday due to snow and freezing temperatures.

Liga MX leaders make quick work of Querétaro

Puebla retained its hold on first place thanks to offense supplied by its defenders. Left fullback Lucas Maia followed up on the back side of a Camoteros move forward and when a Gustavo Ferrareis shot was parried by Querétaro goalie José Antonio Rodríguez, Maia was johnny-on-the-spot to drill the rebound into the net just 2 minutes into the match.

Central defender Juan Pablo knocked home a free kick at the back post when his marker failed to stay with him. The visitors were up 2-0 in minute 32 and Puebla simply shut the door after that (though keeper Antony Silva was required to make two fine saves to preserve the clean sheet).

Holders Atlas played its typical stingy defense, and in conjunction with opportunistic offense the Liga MX champs went into the locker room at halftime with a 2-0 lead. That turned out to be enough for the team that allowed the fewest goals in Liga MX last season.

The Zorros boosted their record to 3-1-0 and 10 points, even with Puebla but trailing on goal differential (+6 to +4)

Santos Laguna remains stuck in 17th place, the lone bright spot being an 84th-minute goal from newcomer Harold Preciado on his Liga MX debut.

In Monterrey, Juan Pablo Vigón scored twice before the half-hour mark and the home fans figured it was going to be an easy night for Tigres. Sloppy play at the back early in the second half wiped out the advantage as Brian Rubio and Nicolás Benedetti scored for Mazatlán.

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Herrera then sent Carlos González into the fray and the Paraguayan front man drew a penalty a few minutes later (André-Pierre Gignac converted) before extending Tigres’ lead with a nifty solo effort. The Cañoneros pulled one back in stoppage time but the 4-3 loss keeps them in the Liga MX basement.

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