clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Liga MX Week 16 Roundup: Tigres woes continue, Chivas clinch Liguilla spot

By Rafael Diaz
Azael Rodriguez/LatinContent/Getty Images

Only one spot remains after four more teams clinched a place in the Liguilla this weekend. Take a look at the most prevalent games of Week 16 in Liga MX.

One team in danger of not reaching the Liguilla are current Liga MX champions Tigres. Ricardo Ferretti's side missed a huge chance to boost their chances at reaching the Liguilla as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Veracruz on Saturday.

The Liga MX Champions arrived to this game on the back of losing the CONCACAF Champions League title to Club America during the midweek, but destiny was in their own hands as a win would mean they would finish in a playoff position at the end of the weekend.

They were perhaps unfortunate not to come away with all three points in a goalless draw that they dominated. Andre-Pierre Gignac missed a glaring chance after nine minutes when he failed to hit the target from a great position in the middle of the Veracruz area. They then came even closer throughout the first half, with Rafael Sobis missing several opportunities in front of goal.

Veracruz's best chance came in the 68th minute when a brilliant through ball from Gabiel Penalba set Daniel Villalva clear but the former River Plate man could only see his shot smash the woodwork.

It was clear it wasn't Tigres' night when Gignac sent a final header wide in the closing stages of the match. The result means the champions will have to beat Cruz Azul on the final day of the season to clinch a place in the playoffs.

Speaking of Cruz Azul, the Cementeros defeated the Toluca with a 2-0 win at the Estadio Nemesio Diez on Sunday to leapfrog their way into a playoff position.

The visitors began the game brightly and took the lead within seconds after a Joao Rojas cross nestled behind Alfredo Talavera and into the back of the net to give the Cementeros the early advantage.

Toluca, however, improved after the break and won a penalty when 18-year-old Ernesto Alexis Vega fell to the ground under a challenge from Ariel Rojas. Forward Enrique Triverio stepped up but squandered the chance to put his team leveled from the penalty spot.

Jorge Benitez then put his side two goals for the good when he poked home in front of goal following a great through ball from Aldo Leao Ramirez.

Jose de Jesus Corona pushed away an Erbin Trejo shot late on to complete a miserable week for the Diablos Rojos, which saw them fall 4-0 to Sao Paulo in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores Round of 16 clash earlier in the week.

Meanwhile, it was all smiles for Chivas fans this weekend after their club clinched a spot in the Liguilla with a 2-1 win over Dorados de Sinaloa on Sunday.

The Rebaño Sagrado raced in front within 20 minutes, with Carlos Cisneros scoring a curling effort past Luis Michel.

Already in the second half, Wilson Mathias gifted Chivas a penalty after a hold on Isaac Brizuela inside the box. Carlos Alberto "Gullit" Peña stepped up and converted to give Matias Almeyda's side the 2-0 lead.

The visitors threatened to make a game of it in the final moments of the match when Milton Caraglio pulled Dorados within one, but Chivas held on to their third straight victory at home.

Elsewhere, Pumas UNAM slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Queretaro to drop out of the playoff zone on Friday. Xolos de Tijuana finished their season winless at home after a goalless draw with Puebla. The game of the week may have been between two teams already qualified as Monterrey and Club America played to a thrilling 3-3 draw. Pachuca and Leon sealed places in the Liguilla with a goalless stalemate at the Estadio Nou Camp. Finally, Monarcas Morelia become one of eight teams that will be fighting for the title in May following a 3-2 win at home over Santos Laguna.

Goal of the week: Pablo Aguilar

More From FMF State Of Mind