Chivas defeats Veracruz 3-1 with a doblete from Alan Pulido “maximo goleador”

For the past 2 weeks Los Chivahermanos had all their hopes in a miracle, a combination of results that involved 4 other teams. That  miracle was gone after Monterrey defeated Atlas. 

With the liguilla long gone, Chivas hosted Veracruz with one final mission. To make Alan Pulido the top goal scorer in the league. El Rebaño striker needed 2 goals to tie top scorer Mauro Quiroga at 12 goals and a hat-trick to be the loan champion.

Chivas came into this game knowing that they were eliminated and it showed on the players intensity. They did not play well for the first 45 minutes, the team was so focused on trying to find Pulido that they took wrong decisions after wrong decisions. 

Despite Chivas having the possession of the ball for 80% of the first half, Veracruz took the advantage in the final last minute of the half. On a horrible try to clear the ball from the box, the defense left the ball bouncing, Diego Chavez didn’t miss the opportunity and blasted the ball into the net.

For the second half Veracruz decided to park the bus on the goal, and they sent all their men to the defense.

Chivas continued with their mission! All balls went to Pulido. 

A controversial play came at minute 56 when Alexis Vega crossed a ball through the right wing, the ball was called out of bounds, but was not clear. The ball went on to be deflected on a Veracruz defender’s hand and went out of bounds. The referee decided not to review the play on VAR and this way ruined an opportunity for Pulido to get his first goal of the night on a PK.

At minute 66 Villalpando pushed a through ball through the left wing that found Alan Pulido in the small box, he recieved the ball and took a shot on a 180° turn to send the ball into the goal for the equalizer. “Puligol’s” 11th goal with enough time to beat the record. 

The game turned into a one side game, Veracruz hardly crossed over the midfield. The minutes were running out and Chivas tried on every angle to find number 9, but no luck, until the 87th minute on a corner kick, the ball came to Pulido, he controlled the ball in the big box and blasted it with his right foot and scored his second goal of the night. His 12th goal, tying Mauro Quiroga as the top goal scorer of the season. It’s the first time a Mexican player achieves this accomplishment since 2011 when Angel Reyna got it.

During stoppage time Veracruz got a corner kick in the last minute, their goalie Sebastian Jurado went in to the box trying to get the tie, but Chivas goalie Toño Rodriguez got the ball and took advantage of Veracruz empty goal, he shot the ball on the air all the way into the net, making a historic goal for him.

Las Chivas finished in 10th place with this victory, just two points short of la Liguilla. 

Alan Pulido talked after the game and thankEd all his teammates for helping him achieve his goal, and he also thanked Jorge Vergara on his remembrance night.

It was a good end to the season for Chivas and I’m sure that Jorge would be proud! 

I just want to say once again, Thank you Jorge and you’ll be forever missed! 

#HastaSiempreJorge