Guzmán leads Pachuca back to top of Liga MX standings

Víctor Guzmán scored twice as host Pachuca ended the Tigres’ nine-game unbeaten streak and climbed back to the top of the Liga MX table.

Four days after seeing its own nine-game unbeaten run fall by the wayside – a loss that knocked the Tuzos into second in the Playing for 90 Power Rankings – Pachuca rediscovered its winning form, denied a bigger margin of victory by Tigres goalie Nahuel Guzmán who made six saves.

The Tuzos held the league’s most potent offense in check, limiting the Tigres to 2 shots on goal and blanking André-Pierre Gignac who had scored in nine consecutive games.

The 2-1 result improved the Pachuca’s record to 9-1-2 while the Tigres fell to 8-2-2. The Tuzos now have 28 points from 12 games, 2 points better than the Tigres.

Second-half fireworks spark Pachuca win

Pachuca had the better of play in the first half as the Tigres got off to a slow start for the second straight game. Each team clanged the crossbar but the visitors rarely threatened.

Ten minutes after the restart, the Tuzos were in the lead. Right back Kevin Álvarez was given too much space out wide and he had time to pick out Guzmán at the back post. Tigres right back Jesús Dueñas had followed Nicolás Ibáñez into the middle of the box leaving “El Pocho” unmarked and the midfielder knocked the ball into the net with a sliding volley.

The 1-0 deficit was the first time the Tigres had trailed in a game since Matchday 3 back on Jan. 23.

Luis Quiñones equalized for the visitors 10 minutes later, taking advantage of a poor back pass by Miguel Tapias. As the Pachuca defender tried to screen the Colombian winger from the ball, Quiñones got his left boot on it, poking it past Oscar Ustari to knot the score at 1-1.

Guzmán’s game-winner came in minute 86. He collected a pass from Nicolás Ibáñez just inside the box, brought it down with his right foot and quickly fired a low screamer just inside the right post with his left foot.

Last night’s thriller was a make-up game from Matchday 9. Both teams have a quick turnaround with Matchday 13 appointments coming up quickly. The Tigres visit Querétaro (12 points, 16th place) on Sunday, while Pachuca hosts Tijuana (15 points, 11th place) on Monday.

Elsewhere in Liga MX, holders Atlas defeated visiting Necaxa 2-1 to kick off Matchday 13. Atlas climbed one spot into 4th place with 22 points, while the Rayos sit in 13th place with 14 points.