Monterrey 0 – 1 Cruz Azul

The Cement Machine handled the ‘Pandilla’ as they defeated Monterrey away 1-0 to qualify to the postseason liguilla knockout tournament.

Alejandro Corona sent a superb pass to “Chelito” Delgado, who launched an unstoppable shot in the 52nd minute for the only score.

The Machine, with 27 points in 16 games and one to play, joined Chiapas and Pachuca, who have already qualified. Meanwhile, having a woeful season, Cruz Azul also crushed Monterrey’s playoff aspirations with the victory.

Atlante 1 – 0 America

The Eagles continued to struggle in the Mexican league Clausura tournament and are on the brink of elimination as they fell 1-0 at Atlante, who qualified to the playoffs.

Horacio Cervantes’s 64th minute strike was so potent it turned the goalkeeper’s arm as it hit the net for the Iron Colts’ most valuable goal in two years. They had not made the playoffs since Apertura ’04.

Dealing with an injury to star player Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Manuel Lapuente mysteriously left Aaron Padilla on the bench.

Atlante is tops in Group 1 with 24 points, while The Eagles are fourth in with 20 points, one behind Morelia and two away of San Luis.

Tecos 2 – 2 Chivas

Charismatic striker Adolfo Bautista saved Guadalajara as they overcame a 2-goal deficit to end level with local nemesis, UAG Tecos 2-2.

Chilean Pinto Martinez (28) and Argentine Daniel Ludueña (51) had put the Tecos in control.

‘Bofo’ burned Mario Rodriguez with a scorching cross in the 69th and followed that up with a crafty penalty kick in the 84th for the tie.

Chivas is third in Group 3 but with 23 points, they control their own destiny as far as the playoffs; a win would see them through, while a loss or a tie would see them in trouble. With 19 points in Group 1, Tecos are still mathematically alive, but need help.

Morelia 1 – 0 San Luis

The Monarchs notched an important victory 1-0 at home in to keep their marginal playoff hopes alive and hended San Luis a crucial relegation blow.

In the 58th minute Wilson Thiago Matias rose to the occasion when he headed home Fernando Arce’s corner amid four defenders.

Morelia is third in Group 1 with 21 points, chasing San Luis by a point for the second spot in the group.

Jaguares 2 – 4 Sinaloa

Sinaloa refuses to be relegated quietly, handing one of the hottest teams in Mexico a swift 4-2 beating at home Saturday.

The goal onslaught was courtesy of Carlos Ochoa (54) and Salvador Cabañas (78) for the Jaguares, and Andrés Orozco (6, 70), Josep Guardiola (22), and Christián Patiño (90).

Jaguares did not suffer in the standings as they have already secured one of the top spots in the playoffs; Dorados are third in Group 2 with 21 points.

Pachuca 0 – 0 Veracruz

The Tuzos held on to their tenuous lead in the Mexican league standings with a dreary 0-0 tie at home over relegation-bound Veracruz.

Pachuca has 31 points, one more than Chiapas, and are on pace to finish as the #1 seed in the playoffs.

Veracruz Sharks are on fifth place in Group 2, have slim hopes of making the playoffs, but better chances of remaining in the First Division for another season.

Atlas 2 – 3 Necaxa

Two Fabricio Fuentes mistakes cost the Zorros the game as visiting Necaxa out-duels them 3-2.

Already down 0-1, in the 17th, Fuentes lost the ball to Antonio Perez, who drilled the second goal. Fuentes mishandled a ball that Ariel Lopez kicked in for the 3-1 mark in the 31st.

All was not lost, however, since San Luis lost, Atlas saved is safe from relegation for the season.

The Zorros are fifth in Group 3 with 20 points, while Necaxa is in the Group 1 cellar with 18.

Toluca 1 – 2 Santos

The Red Devils blew a golden opportunity in their title defense by losing at home to 2-1 to Santos, the worst team in the league.

Carlos Esquivel nailed a shot early as Toluca probably overlooked modest Santos and were overconfident in getting the qualification.

Beginning to celebrate late in the game, they were stunned when ‘Pony’ Ruiz took a Mattias Vuoso pass and hit with a right boot for the tie.

And then, when Hugo Castillo outfought Lozano off a corner in the 90th minute for the go-ahead goal, the home team and their fans were left humbled.

Toluca is second in Group 2 with 21 points but have a goal-difference edge over Sinaloa and UNAM. Santos is sixth in the same group with just 15 points.

Pumas 1 – 1 Tigres

Argentines saved the day in the second Mexican catfight, as Marioni and Gaitan scored to give UNAM and UANL a grueling 1 – 1 draw.

Bruno Marioni scored his second goal of the season as he outran the defense in the 32nd and hit a low kick for the lead. Tigres coach Ricardo Ferreti argued the call and was sent off.

Walter Gaitan, known as ‘Divino’ made a divine play as he took a pass from Jose Luis Mendoza, and all alone, drilled the equalizer in the 74th.

Pumas are in a three-way tie for second in Group 2 with 21 points, and, also with 21 points, Tigres are fourth in Group 3.

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