Apertura MX 2024 matchday 16 Roundup

Matchday 16 of the Apertura MX 2024 confirmed Chivas’ qualification for at least the Play-In, following their away victory over Santos Laguna. However, they hope to secure direct access to the quarterfinals on the final matchday.

Meanwhile, Pumas is closer to achieving that direct quarterfinal berth after their home win over Querétaro.

Tijuana missed the chance to climb the standings by drawing with Juárez, while Cruz Azul dropped points as visitors against Atlas.

Matchday 16 Results

Liga MX Matchday 16: Santos Laguna 0-2 Chivas

Chivas secured a crucial 2-0 victory away against Santos Laguna, keeping their hopes alive for direct qualification to the quarterfinals andavoiding the need for the Play-In stage.

The first goal came in the 45th minute when José Castillo sent in a cross that Cade Cowell headed into the net. The second goal was by Yael Padilla, who capitalized on a rebound off the goalkeeper, slotting the ball into the back of the net.

Chivas are at least guaranteed a spot in the Play-In with their 25 points, while Santos Laguna sits in 17th place with just ten units.

Liga MX Matchday 16: Pumas 2-0 Querétaro

Pumas has had an impressive regular season in Liga MX, underscored by their 2-0 win over Querétaro at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario.

Their first goal came in the 40th minute, following a corner kick by César Huerta that José Caicedo headed in. Later, in the 82nd minute, Piero Quispe controlled a ball in the box and sealed the victory with a right-footed finish for the home team.

Pumas are in fourth place with 28 points and returned to winning ways after three matches, while Querétaro remains at the bottom of the table with just nine points.

Liga MX Matchday 16: Juárez 1-1 Tijuana

Despite Tijuana’s winless streak in Liga MX, their 1-1 draw with Juárez keeps them within the Play-In spots, though with slim chances of securing a direct spot in the quarterfinals.

In the 76th minute, the Xolos took the lead with a free-kick goal by Efraín Álvarez, but in stoppage time (90+8′), Ángel Zaldivar leveled the score, finishing off a cross from Carlos Salcedo.

Tijuana currently sits in eighth place with 26 points and has gone four matches without a win, while Juárez holds the 15th spot with 14 units.

Liga MX Matchday 16: Atlas 2-2 Cruz Azul

Cruz Azul was unable to secure a win in their away game against Atlas, ending in a 2-2 draw. However, they remain the top team of the Liga MX season, having clinched a spot in the quarterfinals with an unassailable lead in the standings.

In Guadalajara, the capital team opened the scoring just 5 minutes in when Alexis Gutiérrez received a pass from Charly Rodríguez and sent the ball into the net. Eduardo Aguirre leveled the score at 18′ with a header, but Carlos Rotondi put Cruz Azul back in the lead with a penalty. Atlas found the equalizer at 89′ when Edgar Zaldivar headed in a corner from Raymundo Fulgencio.

This draw halted Cruz Azul’s seven-game winning streak, but they remain leaders with 41 points. Atlas, currently in tenth place with 21 points, is still in Play-In positions.

The Máquina equaled the record number of points held by themselves and León, being two points behind América, which in 2002 achieved 43, but when there were 20 teams.