Liga MX Week 12 Roundup: Chivas trash Pumas UNAM 4-0, Club America go second

After nearly two long weeks without Liga MX and the Liguilla fast approaching, business resumed as usual with several teams looking to make a last-minute push for the playoffs.

One of the teams struggling to hit their stride is Xolos de Tijuana. Going into the game, Tijuana were winless in their previous seven home games but were deservedly two goals to the good after only 15 minutes in their game against Queretaro.

But in the 41st minute, a Yerson Candelo back-heel dropped to Nery Dominguez, who fired a shot into the corner to pull a goal back for the visitors.

Tijuana could not get themselves together at the back, and after conceding, Javier Gandolfi saw red for a tackle on Dominguez, leaving Xolos down to 10 men for the second half.

Queretaro's advantage had an instant impact, and only seconds into the second period, Sepulveda hit the first of a second half brace from a Carlos Fierro headed pass.

With pressure continuing to build on Xolos, Sepulveda trashed home Queretaro's go-ahead goal with a one-time shot from outside the box.

Jaime Gomez then added to Tijuana's woes as he burst into the edge of the box to seal the 4-2 comeback win for the visitors.

Also struggling are the champions.Tigres squandered a two-goal lead as Atlas fought back to earn a 2-2 draw at the Estadio Universitario on Saturday.

Andre-Pierre Gignac put Tigres in front in the 16th minute, tucking in his ninth goal of the season from inside the box after a Juninho cross. Juninho then doubled Tigres' lead seven minutes later when he slotted home a penalty kick following a Giovanni Leon foul on Jurgen Damm.

But Rodrigo Salinas brought the Rojinegros back into the game in the 51st minute with a right-footed strike from the edge of the box which went in Nahuel Guzman's right post.

In the 69th minute, a free-kick on the edge of Tigres' area was given. Juan Carlos Medina made the best of his attempt when he found the back of the net to bring Atlas leveled.

The hosts came close to winning it late when Javier Aquino forced Oscar Ustari to a save, but at the final whistle, both sides settled for a point.

The one team looking like real contenders now is Club America. Las Aguilas climbed to second in the league table and dented Chiapas' Liguilla hopes with a 2-0 win at the Estadio Victor Manuel Reyna on Saturday night.

The visitors got off to a good start and won a penalty on the half-hour mark when Darwin Quintero was dragged down at the edge of the box. Oribe Peralta delivered the penalty past Oscar Jimenez to score his 200th career goal and give Club America the lead.

Club America went two goals in front after 63 minutes when Darwin Quintero escaped down the right and slotted home to double the advantage.

Chiapas then failed to find a response in the closing stages of the match as Club America clinched their fourth straight victory of the season.

Finally, the week ended with Chivas' 4-0 thrashing of Pumas UNAM at the Estadio Chivas on Sunday.

Much of the talk during the week centered around Pumas' inability to win at Chivas in the last 34 years, and it was the home side that took the lead on 20 minutes when Orbelin Pineda's right footed shot from outside the box deflected past Alejandro "Pikolin" Palacios.

It was 2-0 ten minutes later when Isaac Brizuela got the better of Luis Fuentes and buried home from a Carlos Cisneros cross.

It was a miserable first half from Guillermo Vazquez'z men, and things didn't get any better in the second after they went further behind on 65 minutes. Brizuela received a headed pass from Angel Zaldivar and took advantage of Pikolin's hesitation to fire in the 3-0.

Javier Eduardo "La Chofis" Lopez proved a real thorn for league leaders Monterrey two weeks ago and once again showed his potential by scoring Chivas' fourth. After he had been brought on in the 69th minute, Chofis rounded past Dario Veron with a dribble and put the seal on a perfect night for the Rebaño Sagrado.

Elsewhere, Pachuca and Cruz Azul shared the spoils in one of three matches this week that ended goalless. Nine-man Monterrey came from a goal down to win it late at Leon and maintain their spot at the top of the league table. Meanwhile, Monarcas Morelia inched closer to relegation survival with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Puebla.

Goal of the week: Aldo de Nigris

#LigaMXNBCDeportes GOL de @Rayados . Golazo de @DeNigris9 para el empate #León 1-1 #Rayados https://t.co/OV5EstKcgf

— NBC Deportes (@TelemundoSports) April 3, 2016