Cruz Azul says goodbye to playoffs

Santos and Cruz Azul was scheduled to be an intense game, with the home team having posibilities of securing first place and La Máquina still fighting to reach the last spot in the liguilla. 

The match began with Los Laguneros attacking non stop, creating many opportunities and scaring the away team with close calls. The Mexico City team was expected to pick up their game but weren’t able to before Santos scored the first goal of the night in the 30th minute by Daniel Arteaga, who after a scramble shot the ball with a left footed kick. After a mistake from La Maquina’s defense just two minutes after, El Huevo Lozano scored a right footed shot that gave Santos the advantage and left the blue team with a negative mindset.

The second half started with Santos attacking just like in the first half. It seemed as if the home team would score a lot of goals but the Mexico City team was solid in the back and held on to the hope of going to the liguilla. The hope was reinforced when Igor Lichnovsky scored a header in the 56th minute and got his team closer to tying the game. Cruz Azul picked up their game but it wasn’t enough, Santos was able to score their third goal in the 86th minute after Jesus Corona gave a rebound to Octavio Rivero who didn’t miss the opportunity.

With this victory, Santos secures first place while Cruz Azul says goodbye to the Liguilla. Santos will be visiting Toluca while Cruz Azul will receive Atletico San Luis in search of winning the last game of the tournament to give their fans a decent end to the season.