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Pachuca dominates but comes up empty vs Xolos

By Thomas Buckley

Avilés Hurtado watches as his shot zips past Tijuana coalie Gil Aceves, flying just wide of the far post. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Avilés Hurtado watches as his shot zips past Tijuana coalie Gil Aceves, flying just wide of the far post. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /
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Pachuca 0, Tijuana 0
The first-half penalty shot taken by Nicolás Ibáñez soars over the crossbar, a miss that contributed to Pachuca’s first shut-out of the season. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /

Pachuca dropped points at home after failing to score for the first time this season, settling for a scoreless draw against an underwhelming Tijuana side.

Even so, the Tuzos moved back to the top of the Liga MX table, tied with the Tigres on points (29) but in first place thanks to a better goal differential (+12 to +11).

Pachuca dominated the game but spent most of the contest spraying crosses and centering passes. Fullbacks Kevin Álvarez and Daniel Aceves were particularly culpable, squandering multiple possessions with inaccurate deliveries.

Avilés Hurtado also deserves some blame, wasting two first-half scoring chances with errant shots from close range. And just before halftime, Pachuca’s leading scorer Nicolás Ibáñez spoiled a penalty kick by firing his shot over the crossbar.

Frustrating night for Pachuca

Tijuana goalie Gil Aceves earned Man of the Match with three splendid saves, twice denying long-range shots by Luis Chávez. He also had some help from the woodwork as Tuzos sub Romario Ibarra banged the crossbar twice late in the second half after nifty moves to create space inside the box.

With less than 10 minutes remaining, a Pachuca scoring play off a corner kick was annulled when VAR alerted the referee to a foul that occurred on the previous corner kick.

The Tuzos’ failure to get on the scoreboard now means Puebla is the only team to score in each game this season.

Pachuca coach Guillermo Almada certainly can’t be happy with his team’s finishing or passing accuracy (79%), but build-up play was solid. The Tuzos enjoyed 67% possession and outshot the Xolos 21-5, but only managed to get three shots on net.

Pachuca’s defense was spot on, however, preventing Tijuana from getting a single shot on goal. The result was the fifth clean sheet for Oscar Ustari.

Next. Three centre-backs who could replace Rudiger. dark

The Tuzos will attempt to rediscover their scoring touch next week in Cd. Juárez when they take on the last-place Bravos. With five games remaining, Tijuana now sits in 12th place (the final wildcard spot) but will host a surging América club next weekend.

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