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Liga MX Week 8 Roundup: Cruz Azul brush aside Monterrey, Tigres score four past Club America

By Rafael Diaz

With the conclusion of another exciting slate of matches, we are now at the halfway point of the Liga MX season. The biggest surprise of the week happened at the Estadio Azul on Saturday where Cruz Azul brushed aside the league leaders Monterrey.

Omar Mendoza had opened the scoring from a well-taken corner in the 10th minute before Jorge Benitez slotted home Cruz Azul's second on 30 minutes.

With just seven minutes to play in the first half, the hosts kept their attacking options open and earned a penalty through Rafael Baca. Joffre Guerron stepped up only to see his spot kick saved by Jonathan Orozco.

But the writing was on the wall for the league leaders and Jorge Benitez scored his brace when he pounced to net after a great pass from Joao Rojas.

In the second half, the evening went from bad to worse for the Rayados when Chaco Gimenez made an immediate impact after coming on in the 72nd minute. The 35-year-old sent his diving header past Orozco for the final 4-0 scoreline.

All things considered, it ended up being a perfect Saturday for Monterrey's crosstown rivals. Tigres manager Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti earned his 400th victory as manager in Liga MX with a thumping 4-1 win over Club America. Both sides had entered the match on the back of good results in the CONCACAF Champions League and knowing they could move into a top four position in the table with a win.

Following a scoreless first half, Jesus "Churpias" Moreno briefly gave Club America the lead in the 69th minute, but Tigres never looked back after falling behind.

Damian Alvarez cut inside his man and fired the ball through Moises Munoz's near post to equalize three minutes later.

Las Aguilas were stunned and Pablo Aguilar made a bad decision moments later as he was called for a handball inside the box and was sent off with a second yellow. Juninho stepped up and converted to complete the turnaround.

Chances continued to come for the champions, and in the 83rd minute, Andre-Pierre Gignac sent a driving shot into the back of the net to score the 3-1.

Any hope of a late Club America comeback were extinguished only seconds later when Rafael Sobis rubber-stamped the win with a brilliant shot from long-range.

But there was at least some delight for Club America fans as Chivas went 11 league games without a win after their 1-1 draw with Xolos de Tijuana on Sunday.

Isaac Brizuela gave the hosts the lead early in the first half, and Chivas looked like an improved side.

However, it was a defensive mistake which enabled Xolos de Tijuana to equalize in the 26th minute. A brilliant Dayro Moreno backheel pass allowed Carlos Guzman plenty of time and room down the right to send a cross into the middle. Edwin Hernandez cleared the effort towards the opposite side and into the back of his own net for the 1-1.

In the second half, Chivas increased the pressure, and just seconds after Xolos defender Elio Castro had earned his first yellow card, he conceded a penalty and was sent off for Tijuana.Omar Bravo stepped up, but Federico Vilar was quick enough to react as he saved Chivas' go-ahead goal.

Matias Almeyda's side poured forward looking for the win, but after sending 17 shots to Xolos four throughout the 90 minutes, Tijuana held on for the point.

Elsewhere, "Pikolin" Palacios shined as winless Veracruz were held to a goalless draw by Pumas UNAM. Silvio Romero continues to impress at Chiapas, and he scored twice to lead Ricardo La Volpe's side to a 3-1 win over Leon. Finally, Hirving Lozano was on target in Pachuca's 1-0 victory at Toluca.

Goal of the week: Rafael Sobis

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