Liga MX Review: Drama Unveiled on the Final Day of the Regular Season | OneFootball

The Liga MX Apertura regular season concluded this weekend as the final 10 teams competing for the title were established.

Across the nine games, the lineup for the playoffs and the play-in competitions would be confirmed with a potential cause for shock on the cards. Focussing on the battle for the final spot in the play-in tournament, Club León had an outside chance of qualifying, but they needed a good result against Monterrey whilst praying that Necaxa would be able to defeat Atlas.

Friday 8th November 2024

Los Gallos closed out their campaign with three points in a clash at the bottom of the table. Santos took an early lead within the first 20 minutes, but a brace from Rubio Rubin put the home side ahead. Ronaldo Cisneros then extended Querétaro’s lead deep into added time. Although Santos managed a consolation goal, they ultimately finished at the bottom of the Apertura standings.

Mazatlán’s hopes for an Apertura playoff spot were dashed as they ended their season with a home defeat to Pumas. Guillermo Martínez scored the game’s only goal from the penalty spot, securing a fourth-place finish for the capital city side.

Chivas had a chance to leapfrog San Luís this weekend and avoid the play-in phase, but a 94th-minute winner from Rodrigo Dourado secured the visitors' passage into the playoffs. Now, if Chivas want to join San Luís, they’ll have to fight their way through the play-in stage.

Saturday 9th November 2024

Juárez secured a narrow win to rise from 15th to 12th on the final day of the season. Whilst they miss the playoffs, the win gives Los Bravos a respectable end to the campaign as they rest ahead of the Clausura which begins in the new year.

Toluca gave a statement performance whilst hosting reigning champions Club América this weekend. Four goals for the hosts as they looked to prove that they are in contention for an 11th Liga MX title. Jesús Gallardo, Jesús Angulo, Paulinho and Luán Garcia scored the goals as Las Águilas fail to reach the playoffs proper. Finishing the campaign in eighth, they will face Tijuana in the border city if they want to seek revenge against Toluca in the playoffs.

Cruz Azul finished the league as the top performing side and proved that once again by denying Tigres of an important three points on the road. The visitors took the lead through Nicolás Ibanez who converted his penalty with two minutes left in the game, but La Maquiná found enough time to respond when Angel Sepúlveda scored his fifth goal in as many games in the 98th minute to ensure that Azul would end the regular season with just one defeat.

Atlas needed a point to avoid the embarrassment of dropping out of the play-in spots on the final day of the season which they achieved with an uninspiring goalless draw against Necaxa. The result sees the home side drop a place to 13th, following Juárez's win. The result means that they will take part in a Clásico de Tapatío to keep their playoff dreams alive.

Sunday 10th November 2024

León’s hopes of a last-minute play-in berth were dashed when Atlas secured a point against Necaxa, leaving León to play only for pride at the Estadio BBVA. Although little was at stake for either side, with Monterrey already qualified for the playoffs, the match delivered plenty of drama. Edson Gutierrez put the home side ahead, but Stiven Mendoza equalised for León on the hour mark. Just fifteen minutes later, Los Rayados were awarded a penalty, which Sergio Canales calmly converted. As the game neared its end, tempers flared. Both Lucas Ocampos and Edgar Guerra saw red, reducing each team to ten men. With five minutes left, there was still time for Mendoza, León’s earlier goalscorer, to earn a red card himself. The thrilling encounter ended with three goals and three red cards, as Monterrey claimed all three points, securing a 5th-place finish and setting up a playoff clash with Pumas.

Tijuana had already secured a spot in the play-in phase, but a win was crucial to ensure their clash with Club América would take place at home instead of in the capital. The match didn’t start ideally, as Puebla took an early lead with a goal from Emanuel Gularte in the first 10 minutes. However, Joe Corona equalised for Los Xolos in the second half. With a draw not enough for Tijuana, the game took a dramatic turn in the 103rd minute—13 minutes into added time—when Carlos González scored the winning goal, sparking absolute pandemonium in the stands. The victory allowed Los Xolos to secure an impressive 7th-place finish in the Apertura, defying expectations.