Match recap: Santos Laguna 1, Querétaro 0

With Necaxa on the bye week, the match between Santos Laguna and Querétaro meant a winner would go to the top of the table with just two more weeks to go. Santos seized the opportunity, getting a golazo from Matheus Dória and putting the screws to Gallos Blancos defensively.

The match started off on a frenetic pace, with Querétaro getting a couple of chances early but Jonathan Orozco was up to the challenge, turning the shots away. Santos pressed and took their time to set up plays, but Querétaro was up for the challenge and looked to be well in control of the match. Then in the 16th minute, center back Matheus Dória took matters into his own hands and hit an absolute screamer from distance that beat Gil Alcalá and put Santos up,

In the 31st Brian Lozano almost doubled the lead but his shot went just wide of the net. Santos was content to defend and absorb the pressure from Querétaro, and Los Gallos Blancos didn’t have much of an answer.

As the game went on, Santos showed that they can defend as well as they attack, shutting down every Querétaro opportunity. Querétaro to their credit threw everything they had at Santos but ultimately had no answer.

Santos will head to Mexico City to face América on Saturday in another strong test for the superlíders, while Querétaro return home to host Tigres on Saturday.

Santos Laguna: Jonathan Orozco; Gerardo Arteaga, Hugo Rodríguez, Matheus Dória, Emilio Orrantía; Ulíses Rívas (Edgar Games, 46’), Diego Valdés (Adrián Lozano, 63’), Fernando Gorriarán, Brian Lozano; Eryc Castillo, Julio Furch (Octavio Rivero, 77’)

Querétaro: Gil Alcalá; Jaime Gómez, Luis Romo, Enrique López, Alonso Escoboza; Jordan Sierra, Clifford Aboagye, Marcel Ruiz (Aké Loba, 69’); Jeison Lucumí (Jordi Cortizo, 69’), Ayron Del Valle (Fabián Castillo, 56’), Enrique Triverio

Scoring: Santos Laguna - Matheus Dória (16’); Querétaro - None

Disciplinary: Santos Laguna - None; Querétaro - None