In the return of Liga MX, Rayados beat Puebla and are the new leaders

In the return of Liga MX activity, Monterrey made the most of lost time. A few days after being eliminated early in the Leagues Cup, a tournament that is still being played in the United States, the Rayados visited Puebla yesterday at the Cuauhtémoc stadium and achieved a 2-1 victory that momentarily catapulted them to first place with 12 points in five games.

Argentine Germán Berterame (36) and Spaniard Sergio Canales (55), two of the most dangerous players of the Monterrey team, sealed the score in a match in which La Franja reacted and had little luck in front of goal. Only Santiago Ormeño managed to close the gap thanks to a bad clearance by goalkeeper Esteban Andrada (81).

The Camoteros advanced their lines in the final minutes, often motivated more by their impetus than by a clear idea from coach José Manuel de la Torre, who suffered his third defeat at the helm of the team in five matches. With this, they fell to 13th place in the competition, registering only four points and a difference of -4 in the scoring line.

For the Rayados, who on August 6 announced the dismissal of coach Fernando Ortiz and the hiring of his replacement, the also Argentine Martín Demichelis, this victory served to snatch first place in the League from Cruz Azul. La Máquina is left with 10 points, two less than the leader from Monterrey.

Given the saturation of commitments for the Leagues Cup, in which some local clubs are still active, the Mexican tournament brought forward this duel corresponding to the 16th round to “maintain the rhythm of competition” and avoid a “prolonged period of inactivity.” The same will apply to the Tijuana-Santos and Atlético San Luis-Querétaro clashes, scheduled for this Sunday.

Both Puebla and Monterrey were among the first participants to be eliminated from the tournament held in the United States, after losing to MLS rivals.