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Liga MX Round 7: A Look Back

MauroBoselliClubLeon1-Monterrey (Imago7)

By DAN KARELL

Since making his move from England to Mexico this summer, Club Leon’s Mauro Boselli has made an instant impact for his team.

Boselli scored twice for Leon on Saturday as they came back from a goal down to defeat ten-man Monterrey, 3-1, at the Estadio Leon, moving to second in the Liga MX table. The brace takes his goal total to four in league play and six in all competitions.

Club Leon started off on the front foot, having a shot clang off the crossbar, but it was Monterrey who broke the deadlock first in the 23rd minute. A poor back pass lead to a chance for Rayados star Humberto Suazo, who couldn’t miss into an open net. The tide turned in the second half though as Monterrey defender Jose Basanta was whistled for a handball in the box, giving Boselli an opportunity to level the scoreline at the spot.

Boselli’s penalty kick beat the goalkeeper to his left side, and in the 80th minute, a moment of hard work and determination earned the Argentine his second goal of the game. Teammate Franco Arizala scored in the 85th minute to make it 3-1 over the visitors and keep Leon undefeated after seven rounds of the Apertura season.

The defeat was disastrous for Rayados head coach Victor Vucetich, who lost his job on Sunday after his side’s poor start to the season.

Here’s a closer look at the best of Liga MX from Apertura round seven:

AMERICA CONTINUES DOMINANCE WITH WIN OVER MORELIA

In one of the top matchups of the opening season, Club America showed that even without the late Christian Benitez, they’re still a title-contending club.

America took down upstarts Morelia, 3-1, on Saturday at Estadio Azteca, with a brace from America forward Luis Mendoza leading the way. The victory keeps America undefeated and at the top of the standings with two matches in hand of second-place Club Leon.

Following a scoreless first half, the game opened up four minutes into the second stanza as America striker Raul Jimenez launched a thumping header in for a goal. Mendoza then scored his first of the game to put the hosts up two goals with a terrific solo effort, fooling Morelia goalkeeper Federico Villar with a shot from a very tight angle.

Edgar Andrade scored one back for Morelia with an absolute rocket of a free kick, but Mendoza sent a cheeky chip over Villar in the 82nd minute to put the game away.

LATE GOAL SAVES A POINT FOR SANTOS LAGUNA

For the second week in a row, a late goal conceded cost Club Tijuana points in the Liga MX standings.

Xolos, who were up 1-0 thanks to Fidel Martinez’s goal in the 47th minute, finished the match against Santos Laguna at the Estadio Caliente, 1-1, due to a 89th minute goal scored by Jesus Escoboza of Los Guerreros.

Both Dario Benedetto of Xolos and Oribe Peralta of Santos were held off the score sheet, though worryingly for the home side, Benedetto was replaced at halftime and has not scored in three straight matches.

The draw leaves Tijuana in tenth place with nine points, while Santos sit in sixth place on 12 points.

Here’s a look at the entire list of matches from Apertura Round 7 in Liga MX:

FRIDAY

Queretaro 2, Chivas 0
Club Tijuana 1, Santos Laguna 1

SATURDAY

America 3, Morelia 1
Tigres UANL 2, Chiapas 2
Atlante 1, Pachuca 1
Club Leon 3, Monterrey 1
Atlas 1, Pumas UNAM 1

SUNDAY

Puebla 1, Cruz Azul 2
Toluca 3, Veracruz 1

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Luis Mendoza – America: While both Boselli and Chiapas forward Mauricio Romero scored braces this weekend, Mendoza takes the top spot for the quality of his pair of goals. Mendoza’s hard work and ability placed him in good positions, but from the angles and position he was in, only a player with great technique like himself could have pulled off scoring in those two situations.

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