Liga MX round-up: León win again and need one point to seal title

León edged past Puebla in Liga MX at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc to make it six wins in a row and now need just one point to seal the Liga MX Apertura title. It was their 11th win in 15 games in Liga MX.

The events

There were chances at both ends before visitors took the lead in the 54^th minute when Emanuel Gigliotti rose highest in the box to head Osvaldo Rodriguez’s cross past the Puebla keeper, who got a touch but could not keep it out. It was Gigiliotti’s fifth goal of the season. Angel Mena somehow didn’t make it 2-0 when he shot over the bar from six yards out.

However, in the 69^th minute, León doubled their lead. Gigliotti became the provider for the second goal as he twisted and turned past the onrushing goalkeeper and found Mena, who got there before the defender and tapped home into the empty goal. It was Mena’s eighth goal of the Liga MX season.

¡Este triunfo es de TODOS! ¡Gracias afición! #LosLlevamosEnElAlma pic.twitter.com/MBiqLJQ7po

— Club León (@clubleonfc) October 24, 2020

Pedro Aquino was sent off for León for violent conduct in the 74^th minute. Three minutes later, George Corral’s cross was headed powerfully into the corner by Daniel Alvarez to halve the deficit. Despite León having most of the ball (62%), they only had 2 shots on target, which were the two goals.

One point needed

León have two games remaining against Santos Laguna and Toluca and just need a point to guarantee the title. Puebla drop down a spot to 13^th and have now not won in their last four games.

¡NO HAY QUIEN LOS DETENGA!@clubleonfc liga 6 victorias consecutivas y llega a 36 puntos en el #Guard1anes2020. Con este resultado, ante @ClubPueblaMX, aseguran los Cuartos de Final en la #LigaBBVAMX 🎽 pic.twitter.com/A8NE9IBg6m

— #LigaBBVAMX #Guard1anes2020 (@LigaBBVAMX) October 24, 2020

Cruz Azul end drought to go second

Cruz Azul won their first game in four after a double from top-scorer Jonathan Rodriguez against Guadalajara. The away win meant they jumped up to second place, with Pumas having a game in hand. Cruz Azul had only managed a goalless draw in their past three league games and hadn’t scored in any of the matches.

Pablo Aguilar returned for Cruz Azul to play his first game of the season after eight months out injured. Cruz Azul took the lead in the 41^st minute when Liga MX top-scorer Jonathan Rodriguez scored from 12 yards after he was brought down in the area.

In added time, a long kick from the goalkeeper was flicked on by Roberto Alvarado and Rodriguez was through on goal. He rounded the goalkeeper to seal the win for Robert Siblodi’s men. Rodriguez tops the charts in Liga MX with 12 goals in just 14 games.

Jonathan Rodríguez fue elegido por ustedes como el Jugador del Partido contra Chivas.

¡Felicidades, Jona! #ConTodoContraTodo #UnaFormaDeVida pic.twitter.com/NhYckV8muj

— CRUZ AZUL (@CruzAzulCD) October 26, 2020

Tigres drop points while Club America win

Elsewhere, Tigres shared the spoils with Juarez – drawing 1-1. Nicolás López gave the hosts the lead after taking advantage of a defensive mix-up before Dario Lezcano scored his eighth goal of the season for 12th placed Juarez.

It ends Tigres’ run of five successive league wins and not conceding in their four previous matches. They drop down to fourth place after Jorge Sanchez’s 88^th winner gave Club America a 1-0 win against Atlas – their first win in four games.