The Apertura 2018 edition of the Copa MX kicked off this week with the first round of group stage games. Results were evenly mixed, with four home wins, four away wins, and a draw.
Scores
Atlético San Luis 2-1 Tigres UANL
Celaya 0-2 Pachuca
Monarcas Morelia 2-0 Alebrijes de Oaxaca
TM Fútbol Club 1-2 Pumas UNAM
Mineros 4-3 León
Puebla 1-0 Venados
Veracruz 1-2 Dorados de Sinaloa
Atlas 1-2 Zacatepec
FC Juárez 0-0 Tijuana
The Disciplinary Committee has suspended two players, a coach, and an assistant coach in the aftermath of this weekend’s Jornada 1 games.
The longest suspension goes to Toluca head coach Hernán Cristante, who will miss two games after insulting the match officials.
The Apertura 2018 edition of the Copa Corona MX kicks off this week with the first round of group stage games. A total of 27 teams – 17 from Liga MX and 10 from Ascenso MX – will participate in this season’s cup.
All times Eastern, home team listed first.
Cruz Azul finished the first week of the Apertura 2018 in first place after their 3-0 victory against Puebla, a result that saw the Poblanos drop into last place.
In the relegation standings, Lobos BUAP are last after their loss to Santos Laguna, while relegation rivals Veracruz and Puebla also lost and Querétaro drew.
Scores
Veracruz 0-2 Pumas UNAM
Atlas 0-0 Querétaro
Cruz Azul 3-0 Puebla
Pachuca 0-1 Monterrey
Tigres UANL 2-0 León
Tijuana 2-1 Chivas de Guadalajara
Toluca 2-0 Monarcas Morelia
Santos Laguna 2-1 Lobos BUAP
Necaxa 2-1 América
Necaxa fought off a comeback attempt by América to earn a 2-1 victory in their season opener.
Goal-scoring opportunities were few and far between at the start, with both teams taking their time settling into the game. Then, in the 33rd minute, Necaxa capitalized on an error as América tried to play out of the back, with Víctor Dávila beating Bruno Valdéz and then shooting past a frozen Agustín Marchesín to make it 1-0.
Lobos BUAP took the lead but couldn’t hold it as Santos Laguna came back for a 2-1 home win to open their Apertura 2018 season.
The defending Liga MX champions suffered an early set back as they fell behind in just the 8th minute. Bryan Rabello sent his shot from distance into the back of the net to make it 0-1 for the Licántropos.
It wasn’t without some controversy, but Toluca opened their season with a 2-0 win against 10-man Monarcas Morelia.
The Diablos Rojos came out attacking and soon tested Sebastián Sosa, but the keeper was able to deny Rubens Sambueza an early opener. The Monarquía used their speed on the wings to test Alfredo Talavera as well, and Irven Ávila came close in the 32nd minute, only to send his shot wide with only the keeper to beat.
Tijuana earned a 2-1 victory against 10-man Chivas de Guadalajara to open their Apertura season with a win.
The Xolos started the game off well in front of their home fans, and they had the first good chance of the game through Luis Chávez, whose well-taken free kick ended up striking the post.
Fresh off their 4-0 victory in the Campeón de Campeones game, Tigres UANL earned a 2-0 win against León in their Apertura 2018 debut. The result extends the universitarios’ home unbeaten streak to an impressive 28 games.
The visitors started the game off attacking and it wasn’t long before Luis Montes tried his luck from distance, hitting the post and giving the the home fans a nervous moment. Then Mauro Boselli’s attempt on the half-volley forced a good save out of Nahuel Guzmán to keep León off the board.
Diego Alonso got his tenure as Monterrey coach off to a winning start when he returned to the Estadio Hidalgo to face his former team, with the Rayados earning a 0-1 victory against Pachuca in their Apertura 2018 debut.
The visitors started the game off attacking as they kept up a high press, with ex-Pachuca players Jonathan Urretaviscaya and Rodolfo Pizarro looking dangerous together. The Tuzos created some chances of their own, but they were unable to really trouble Marcelo Barovero in goal.
