América extends streak to seven, climbs into first place
Aguilas are new Kings of Liga MX Hill
América woke up Sunday in first place after a rather convincing 2-1 victory over fifth-place Tigres. The Aguilas are even with Monterrey on points (25) but slightly ahead on goal differential (+15 to +12).
The win was the seventh straight for América, one short of the franchise record. Fernando Ortiz & Co. will get a chance to claim their eighth in a row against 10th-place Atlético de San Luis on Tuesday at Estadio Azteca.
Goals by Jonathan Rodríguez (just 55 seconds after kick-off) and Alex Zendejas (45+2’) paced América to its seventh consecutive triumph over the Tigres who have not beaten “los Azulcremas” in a regular-season Liga MX game since Jan. 21, 2017.
André-Pierre Gignac had notched the equalizer in minute 9 with a magnificent strike at the back post, but América always seemed likely to grab control of the contest.
The Aguilas’ speed and quickness in attack forced Miguel Herrera to change up his tactics – switching from a 4-4-2 to a 5-3-2 – but that simply opened up space in the middle of the pitch for Álvaro Fidalgo and Richard Sánchez to probe the Tigres defense, the best in Liga MX coming into the match.
The outcome might have been much worse if not for the six saves by Nahuel Guzmán, the Man of the Match for the visitors who saw their winless streak extended to four (0-3-1).
The 2-1 defeat kept the Tigres at 21 points, nestled in fifth place pending the outcome of Toluca’s Sunday afternoon match against Guadalajara.
The two goals allowed dropped “los felinos” into a tie with Pachuca for stingiest defense in Liga MX with nine goals permitted in 12 games. As for América, they remain the best offense in Liga MX, now with 26 goals in 12 matches.
Rayados settle for draw in downpour
Monterrey figured to hold onto first place this weekend as they were hosting minnows Mazatlán FC but a steady rain made for messy going at the Estadio BBVA Bancomer and neither team could find the net.
The scoreless draw allowed América to leapfrog the Rayados who have played one more game (13) than their co-leaders (the Aguilas have played but 12 times). Mazatlán remains in 13th place, one spot out of a playoff berth.
Next. Pachuca makes statement with 2-0 win over Santos. dark
Also Saturday, two-time defending Liga MX champions Atlas settled for a scoreless draw against visiting UNAM. That result left both teams 3 points adrift of wildcard spots although Atlas has just four games remaining.