MEXICO CITY (AP) — With goals from Rogelio Funes Mori and Arturo González in a 10-minute stretch in the first half, Monterrey defeated Querétaro 2-0 on Wednesday and regained the top spot in the Mexican Clausura tournament.
“Mellizo” Funes Mori opened the scoring at minute 25 and “Ponchito” González sealed the match at minute 35 for the Rayados, who won their sixth consecutive victory.
Funes Mori, born in Argentina but selected for Mexico in Qatar 2022, has six goals and remains as escort for Henry Martín, from América, who has nine, in the scoring table.
González scored for the fourth consecutive game, the longest streak of his career and has five goals, one less than his maximum record as a professional set in the Clausura 2018 tournament.
Led by the veteran Víctor Manuel Vucetich, Monterrey has not lost since the first date and accumulates 18 points that ensure it closes the seventh date at the top of the table regardless of what happens in the remaining two games.
Los Gallos Blancos suffered their third loss of the tournament where they are one of three teams without wins and remain with three points, in 16th place among 18 teams.
CHIVAS DREAMS OF DIRECT LEAGUE
Víctor Guzmán converted a couple of penalty goals and Chivas prevailed 2-1 against Tijuana to stay in the fight to qualify directly for the league.
The Argentine Federico Lértora put the Xolos ahead at 26 minutes, but “Pocho” Guzmán equalized from 11 steps at 39 and from there he scored the victory goal at 89.
With the result, Guadalajara led by the Serbian Veljko Paunovic extended his streak of games without defeats to four and the “Sacred Flock” is placed fifth in the standings.
In Mexico, only the first four teams advance directly to the league. The next eight advance to a playoff phase to complete the quarterfinals.
Paunovic is in his first tournament in Mexico looking, at least, to qualify Chivas for what would be his third league since he was champion for the last time in the Clausura 2017.
Tijuana, which is now led by Miguel Herrera, remains with seven units in the 13th place of the table.
The “Piojo” Herrera arrived last Friday at the Xolos after being left out in the race to lead the Mexican team.
