The penultimate day of the 2023 Clausura is in the books and the battle for a direct place in the Liguilla and the play-in round remains very tight. There was plenty of emotional moments, including Chivas' big comeback against Cruz Azul, as well as the draw in the Clásico Capitalino between América and Pumas. Here’s our summary of Matchday 16 in Liga MX:
Tigres 1-0 Puebla
After five games without a win, and in their second league game with Robert Dante Siboldi on the bench, Tigres managed to end that streak and won with a penalty converted by André-Pierre Gignac.
Mazatlan 0-2 Monterrey
Playing away against the league’s bottom side, the team led by Víctor Manuel Vucetich secured top spot for the 2023 Clausura. They also ended a run of three consecutive defeats, with Maxi Meza and Érick Aguirre scoring the goals.
Necaxa 1-3 Atlas
Los Rojinegros are in the fight for the playoffs and have now gone five games in a row without losing. Julián Quiñones tightened the fight for the scoring title with a double and now has 12 goals, while Brian Lozano once again scored another great goal from a free kick.
Xolos 0-0 León
La Fiera have dropped to sixth place and they will need results to break their way to finish in the top four, while Xolos also need to win and help to qualify for the playoffs.
Pachuca 2-1 Atlético de San Luis
Los Tuzos came from behind after Unai Bilbao's goal for Los Potosinos. Cristian Arango scored his third goal in the 2023 Clausura, while Ilian Hernández netted the winner.
Chivas 2-1 Cruz Azul
It was an entertaining game at Estadio Akron. Uriel Antuna scored against his former team and celebrated, but Víctor Guzmán and Ronaldo Cisneros flipped the script, allowing Los Rojiblancos to win. Guadalajara moved up to third place on 31 points.
América 1-1 Pumas
This was another match that was full of passion. An own goal by Néstor Araujo from a corner kick saw Los Universitarios take the lead in the second half, but a penalty taken by Henry Martín made the final score one-all, with Martín now the league’s leading scorer with 14 goals.
Toluca 1-1 Juarez
Los Diablos Rojos had the chance to stay second, but they still remain in fourth place. Tiago Volpi scored his second goal of the 2023 Clausura from the penalty spot, but Diego Chávez’s equalizer saw the points shared.
Santos 0-2 Queretaro
Los Guerreros and Los Gallos are two of the teams that are looking to reach a spot in the playoffs. Querétaro got a vital victory that moved them into tenth place with two injury time goals from Kevin Escamilla and Ettson Ayón.
