MEXICO CITY (AP) — With a goal by Ecuadorian Michael Estrada in stoppage time, Cruz Azul defeated Chivas 2-1 on Saturday to provisionally climb to seventh position, ahead of the playoffs for the Apertura tournament playoffs.
Uriel Antuna put the Machine in front in the 46th minute, but Sergio Flores turned around inside the box to tie in the 68th. Estrada scored in the 90th to return the lead to the locals.
Chivas has 22 points with which it is placed in ninth position pending other results. Cruz Azul reached 24 units and occupies the seventh position.
Only León, who plays this Sunday, could move the Blues from that site if they beat Tijuana.
Antuna put La Maquina in front with a shot inside the area that hit the right post of the goal defended by Miguel Jiménez.
Chivas gave a warning at 7 with a shot by Christian Calderón and again at 73 with attempts that crashed into the posts.
When the match expired, Estrada received a cross from the right and converted with a shot that left Jiménez without a chance.
THEY STALK THE LEAGUE
French striker André-Pierre Gignac scored a brace and Tigres beat Atlético de San Luis 3-0 to become the best team in the playoffs for the Apertura tournament
Gignac scored his goals at 54 and 85 minutes, while Sebastián Córdova added one at 58 for the university students.
Tigres has 30 points with which he is fifth in the table and no one will move him from that position no matter what happens in the rest of the date.
The university students will receive the twelfth place in the table next weekend.
San Luis finished the tournament with 18 points in 13th position and was eliminated from the championship fight.
MONTERREY FINISHES SECOND
Monterrey tied 0-0 with Pachuca and secured second place among those seeded for the league.
Los Rayados, led by coach Víctor Manuel Vucetich, let go of the opportunity to establish a point record in the team’s history and finished the tournament with 35 points, three behind the leader América.
The Tuzos, who aspired to be second, finished with 32 units and are provisionally third in the standings, but could slip a step if Santos achieves a victory this Sunday, on the last date.
NECAXA, AT RISK OF MISSING THE PLAYBACK
With a goal from Gaddi Aguirre in the second half, the champion Atlas defeated Necaxa 1-0, leaving their place in the playoffs very compromised.
Aguirre shook the nets in the 76th minute and that was enough for the Foxes, who finished the tournament with 13 points, in penultimate position.
The Rayos, directed by Jaime Lozano, now accumulate 17 points with which they are placed in 12th position.
Necaxa could relinquish that spot if Mazatlan beats Santos on Sunday.
