The first legs of the quarterfinals of the Liga MX Liguilla 2022 are a thing of the past. Then, we already have a much clearer picture of which teams could qualify for the semifinals of the tournament and who will be much closer to the glory of being champions of Mexican soccer.
Of the 4 matches, in three there is still hope for both teams, while one of them was completely resolved after the spectacular 6-1 thrashing that América gave Puebla at home.
On Wednesday, Cruz Azul and Monterrey bored their fans with a 0-0 draw. In Thursday’s matches, Toluca beat Santos Laguna 4-3, in a match that was one of the best of the opening tournament. Tigres achieved a 1-0 victory over Pachuca, thanks to a penalty kick scored by Gignac, which made him the third-highest scorer in the history of the Liguilla.
Now, this weekend will decide which teams will be present in the semifinals of this Liguilla, in 3 playoffs that are still open, while América has a foot and a half in the next stage.
Liga MX: Liguilla Quarterfinals – Toluca vs. Santos Laguna – Info
When: Wednesday, October 12 at 08:00 pm ET
Moneyline odds: Toluca +145 / Santos Laguna -125 (Source: MyBookie.ag)
Draw Offs: +220
Where Can I Watch it? Fox Sports / Fanatiz
The Diablos Rojos were able to make their home advantage count in a match that the odds were not in their favor and achieved a very good victory over Santos Laguna with a score of 4-3, in what has been one of the best matches of this opening tournament 2022.
Toluca came out determined to win at any cost and, with two headers from Charly González and Camilo Sanvezzo in less than 10 minutes, specifically in the 4th and 6th minutes, respectively, they took a 2-0 lead.
This upset Santos Laguna, who seemed to have lost their shape on the field, but in a flurry that was practically the same as Toluca’s, the visiting team managed to equalize the score at 2-2 in only 8 minutes. In the 30th minute, Fernando Gorriarán scored the first goal through a penalty kick, while Harold Preciado equalized in the 38th minute.
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With the score at 2-2, the game went to the break, leaving many good sensations for what would be a spectacular second half.
The second half started with a bang and, in the 49th minute, Santos scored the goal that gave them the lead thanks to Eduardo Aguirre. With this goal, La Comarca grew and as the minutes went by, they looked like winners of the match, but in the 73rd minute, Camilo Sanvezzo scored his second goal of the night to tie the score 3-3.
Toluca went on the attack after equalizing the score and, thanks to this, Juan Bruneta received a red card in the 84th minute. When we all thought that the match would end even, Toluca had a penalty kick in the 90+2nd minute, which was converted by Tiago Volpi to give the match a definitive result.
Result: Toluca (4) – (3) Santos Laguna
Liga MX: Liguilla Quarterfinals – Tigres UANL vs. Pachuca – Info
When: Wednesday, October 12 at 08:00 pm ET
Moneyline odds: Tigres UANL +145 / Pachuca -125 (Source: MyBookie.ag)
Draw Offs: +220
Where Can I Watch it? Fox Sports / Fanatiz
What looked set to be an even and emotionless match, ended in joy and celebration for Tigres, who, thanks to a late penalty kick by Frenchman André-Pierre Gignac, defeated Pachuca 1-0 in the last first leg of the Quarter-Finals of the Apertura 2022 of the Liga MX.
In addition to giving Tigres UANL the win, the goal was special for Gignac, who became the third-highest scorer in the Liguilla phase of Mexican soccer, with 29 goals.
During the first half, both teams reached the opponent’s area with force, but their attempts to open the scoreboard were unsuccessful due to the lack of precision of their forwards and the good defensive actions of their opponents.
In the second half, Pachuca continued with its intentions to go up on the scoreboard, but the inaccuracies in front of the goal continued and the match was gradually fading away.
Finally, when it seemed that another match would end with a 0-0 scoreline, at minute 88′, André-Pierre Gignac had no hesitation in scoring the goal through a penalty kick in Tigres’ favor after a foul by Víctor Guzmán on Guido Pizarro.
Result: Tigres UANL (1) – (0) Pachuca
Liga MX: Liguilla Quarterfinals – Cruz Azul vs. Monterrey – Info
When: Wednesday, October 12 at 08:00 pm ET
Moneyline odds: Cruz Azul +145 / Monterrey -125 (Source: MyBookie.ag)
Draw Offs: +220
Where Can I Watch it? Fox Sports / Fanatiz
Cruz Azul put the soccer in this match, from the start they tried to find a way to score a goal to achieve a victory at the Azteca Stadium, but Monterrey played an extremely defensive game that deprived the locals of any chances they might have had.
Monterrey tested the nerves of steel of a Cruz Azul that made itself at home and took control of the ball. Likewise, some of Monterrey’s chances were perfectly in control by the home team’s defense.
In the second half, the match was much more boring, Monterrey came out to tie, while Cruz Azul lacked fluency in attack and each of their attempts was diluted without generating danger.
A poor attempt by Michel Estrada set the Cruz Azul fans’ spirits on fire, but the truth is that as the minutes went by, both teams were determined not to concede a goal in the first leg.
Result: Cruz Azul (0) – (0) Monterrey
Liga MX: Liguilla Quarterfinals – Puebla vs. América – Info
When: Wednesday, October 12 at 08:00 pm ET
Moneyline odds: Puebla +145 / América -125 (Source: MyBookie.ag)
Draw Offs: +220
Where Can I Watch it? Fox Sports / Fanatiz
América continues to show a spectacular superiority over the rest of the teams in this 2022 Opening Tournament and, in the first leg of the quarterfinals, they managed to crush Puebla, as visitors, with a score of 6-1, thus ratifying that they are the favorites to lift the champions’ trophy in this edition of the Liga MX.
The match was delayed for almost 30 minutes due to torrential rain that was falling at the Cuauhtémoc Stadium in Puebla. Perhaps nature was forewarning Nicolás Larcamón of the rain of goals that would fall on his team, and although Jordi Cortizo gave Puebla the lead in the 14th minute, Diego Valdés, Henry Martín, Alejandro Zendejas, Brian Rodríguez and Federico Viñas turned the score around and were left wanting more.
The second half had the same tone as the first, as América, with goals from Henry Martín (’57), Alejandro Zendejas (’65), Brian Rodríguez (’77), and Federico Viñas (’90+2), gave an end to Puebla’s aspiration. The second leg will be at the Azteca Stadium this weekend.
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