Pumas Spoils Atlético’s Liga MX Debut

The San Luis vs Pumas game was expected to be an interesting game, however, unlike many attractive soccer matches, the rivalry between the two squads wasn’t the reason why. UNAM was expected to perform at a high standard after delivering a terrible tournament last season and finally acquiring new players. On the other hand, Atlético San Luis was under everybody’s radar due to their excellent season in the second division last year beating Dorados, who were led by legend Diego Maradona, twice in the finals which gave them the ticket to the first division. An opening game between an underdog and giant.

The game started with high intensity between both teams, but with Atletico attacking a little more effectively. Around the 20th minute Los Potosinos started to shift the game from the midfield towards Pumas’ side scaring the goalie Alfredo Saldivar with a few close shots. None of which ended up inside the net but created a wake up call for the away team who managed to even out the playing field towards the last ten minutes of the match. The first half ended in a draw but left fans satisfied because of the high intensity and great defensive plays that both team made. 

The second half started just like the first one with a lot of opportunities for both sides. However, Pumas figured out a way to get through San Luis’ defense which was through the sides and started getting closer and closer to scoring. Carlos Gonzalez had a few amazing through passes that could’ve ended as goals but thanks to Carlos Rodriguez’s great saves, the score remained the same. It wasn’t until the 79th minute that Pumas gave fans the first goal of the match with amazing control of the ball and a powerful left shot.

The ghosts from a terrible season were going away for Los Universitarios, but there was still ten minutes on the clock in which anything could happen. San Luis was looking for a comeback and was close to getting their first goal in the first division but Alfredo Saldivar was confident under his goal blocking their forward’s shots. To make clear who deserved to win the match, the away team scored a second goal in the 88th minute thanks to Luis Quintana’s header that originated from a corner kick. 

Pumas started off the tournament with the right foot while San Luis has a lot to work on in order to compete against the rest of the first division teams. The three reinforcements for Pumas are expected to help the team get back into the liguilla consistently like in their golden years. San Luis’ battle against relegation starts now.