Game 11: Pumas 1 - 1 Santos

Video here.

Pumas yet again failed to win a game they had chances to close out but a point in the Olympic Stadium leaves them third in group 1 as they hop above Pachuca. Marco Antonio "Pikolin" Palacios was the Pumas hero, heading one Santos attempt off the line and scoring the Pumas goal.

The team welcomed back Barrera and Velarde from under 23 duty, and Castillo returned for Santos. Castro started at right-back with Gerardo Espinoza in midfield and Fernando Espinoza on the bench.

The game started at a high pace and there was action at both ends but Pumas went ahead in the 24th minute when a Sambueza free-kick was poorly cleared by Oswaldo Sanchez and belying his previous form Palacios struck the ball sweetly into the back of the net from just inside the area. As it is only his second Pumas goal, and he started the season on the bench his exultation was understandable.

Pumas then took control and Barrera had a chance to make it two when he angled into the area but Sanchez made a good stop. This seemed to lift Santos and they scored soon after, Vuoso climbing well above Veron to score with an excellent header.

Castillo came off injured towards the end of the half, putting in doubt his participation in the friendly for Mexico against Ghana on Wednesday, and soon after half-time Tuca also made changes, moving Castro into midfield with Fernando Espinoza replacing his namesake, while Iniguez replaced Barrera. The team seemed to have a better balance but there was a lack of intensity and few chances came.

Towards the end Scocco had a good chance to grab the winner when he brought down a through ball beautifully but again Sanchez made a nice stop to earn a share of the points for the "laguneros". They remain top of group two.

Goals
Palacios (24 minutes) 1-0
Vuoso (38) 1-1

Cards
Pumas: yellow: G.Espinoza, Leandro, Palacios
Santos: yellow: Rodriguez, Castillo, J.Barrera

Player Ratings
Bernal 6 - nearly slipped up but helped out by Pikolin
Castro 6 - I ilke him more in midfield
Palacios 8 - good all-round contribution
Veron 6 - slightly at fault for the goal
Velarde 6 - good to have him back
G.Espinoza 5 - why does he keep getting picked?
Leandro 6 - looked a little rusty
Barrera 6 - lively but ran out of steam
Sambueza 5 - quiet for such a talented player
Scocco 6 - unlucky not to score at the end
Solari 5 - his lack of pace was exposed again
F.Espinoza 5 - sound
Iniguez 7 - played well I prefer him coming off the bench
Palencia 6 - again looked the part

Tuca 6 - I don´t think chopping and changing Castro´s position is helping. Good to see that his faith in Palacios has paid off.

Elsewhere in Mexico
On Friday night Tecos came from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Atlas, a last minute goal by Sebastian Gonzalez providing the equaliser. In an error strewn game in Monterrey the hosts edged out Cruz Azul 3-2 with two goals from Luis Perez. Jaguares striker Itamar Baptista continued his good form with a brace for Jaguares in their 3-2 win at home to Tigres, while Omar Bravo got his 99th top-flight goal in Chivas 2-1 win over Pachuca.

America continued their miserable run losing 1-0 to Toluca, while Morelia hit the post twice in drawing 0-0 with Necaxa. Two goalkeeping errors by Jose Martinez allowed San Luis to win 2-1 in Puebla, and champions Atlante are still finding it difficult to win, their 2-2 draw with relegation strugglers Veracruz being their seventh game without a win.

Jaguares stay top of group one on goal difference from Toluca. There is no change in the leaders of groups two and three, with Santos and Chivas having a healthy lead in their respective groups. America remain rooted at the foot of the general table.

Next Up
A visit to Monterrey to play Tigres.