A look back at the best players, teams, and performances from Round 8 in the Mexican Primera:
Best Game
Puebla 3-3 Monterrey at Estadio Cuauhtémoc
There were plenty of entertaining games this week, but the exciting 3-3 draw between Puebla and Monterrey at Estadio Cuauhtémoc stood out above the rest. Monterrey looked to be in complete control after going up 2-0 courtesy of a penalty from Humberto Suazo and a goal by Cesar Delgado. Things suddenly changed midway through the second half, though, when Puebla's Isaac Romo came in as a substitute for Luis Garcia. Just three minutes after taking the field, Romo scored to make it 1-2 for the locals. The goal sparked the Puebla offense back to life, and five minutes later Roberto Juarez converted a header to tie the game at two goals apiece. Romo continued to make his presence felt, and in the 79th minute he scored again to put Puebla in front, capping the dramatic comeback. The game seemed to be heading towards a "Los Camoteros" victory, but in the 93rd minute Monterrey's Sergio Santana took a dive and earned a penalty from referee Oscar Macias. On literally the last kick of the game, Luis Perez converted the penalty kick to end the match in a 3-3 tie.
Best Players
Hector Mancilla of Tigres UANL and Carlos Bueno of Queretaro
Hector Mancilla and Carlos Bueno both had remarkable games this weekend, each scoring a hat-trick to lead their teams to decisive wins. Mancilla scored his three goals against Pachuca in a one-sided game where Tigres dominated their way to a 5-0 win at Estadio Universitario. Carlos Bueno did the same for Queretaro against Pumas, scoring three goals and even adding an assist in his team's surprising 4-0 victory over the defending champions. Both players now sit in the top five of the league scoring race -- Mancilla with six goals this season and Bueno with five.
Biggest Surprise
Queretaro 4-0 Pumas
The defending title holders looked nothing like champions in their 4-0 loss to Queretaro on Sunday at Estadio La Corregidora. Several defensive errors by Pumas, combined with strong play by Queretaro on the offensive end, led to UNAM's fifth straight game without a win. The victory by Queretaro gives the Gallos Blancos three wins on the season and leaves them in sixth place of the league table. While Queretaro climbs, the defending champions continue to fall. Pumas now drops down to eighth place in the standings.
Team on the Rise
Jaguares Chiapas
Don't look now, but Jaguares continued their climb up the league standings with Friday night's 0-2 away win over Estudiantes Tecos. The victory means Jaguares have crept all the way up to fourth place, a shocking achievement for a team with limited expectations heading into this season. Jaguares began the Apertura fighting against relegation next year, but unlike their other rivals at the bottom of the table, they have now won four games and have positioned themselves near the top of the league standings.
Best Goal
Osvaldo David Martinez (Atlante 1-0 America)
In a week packed full of great goals, Osvaldo Martinez's game-winner against America outshines the competition. Not only was it an excellent finish but the play leading up to the goal was first class.
Best Impersonation of a Defense
Pachuca's backline
The night began for Pachuca with Damian Alvarez abusing Rogelio Chavez for an early 1-0 Tigres lead. The night ended with Hector Mancilla beating goalkeeper Miguel Calero to the ball for his third goal, which also served as an exclamation point on the 5-0 Tigres victory. Overall, the Pachuca backline was completely outclassed by the resurgent Tigres attack. The Tuzos were beaten from the start, and just had no answer for Alvarez, Mancilla, Lucas Lobos, Danilinho, and David Toledo.
Top 5 Teams Following Round 8
1) CD Guadalajara – 17 points
2) UANL Tigres – 16 points
3) Cruz Azul – 14 points
4) Jaguares – 14 points
5) Monterrey – 13 points
Bottom 5 Teams
14) Atlante – 5 points
15) Santos – 8 points
16) Club America – 8 points
17) Club Tijuana – 6 points
18) Atlas – 5 points
Top 5 Goalscorers of the Season
Luis Gabriel Rey – 6 goals (Jaguares)
Hector Mancilla – 6 goals (UANL Tigres)
Carlos Bueno – 6 goals (Queretaro)
Dayro Moreno – 5 goals (Tijuana Xolos)
Christian Benitez – 5 goals (Club America)