Semi-finals

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Santos and Cruz Azul booked their places in the final of Clausura 2008 in tightly fought semi-finals last week. Fernando Arce (left) was the hero for Santos in a tough battle against a resurgent Monterrey.

Cruz Azul took a 1-0 first leg lead home to the Estadio Azul after a controlled performance in San Luis. Miguel Sabah got the goal while the international midfield of Torrado and Villaluz reduced the San Luis opportunities. San Luis fought hard in the second leg, and had Cruz Azul under pressure after a Coudet goal had brought the aggregate score level. However some wise substitutions saw the "cementeros" regain control and replacement Zeballos got the equaliser which calmed proceedings and sent Cruz Azul through to their first final in nine years.

Meanwhile it was another titanic struggle to see who would join them in the final. In a tight first leg in the Estadio Tecnológico in Monterrey two fine goals from Humberto Suazo from the home side, and Cristián Benítez for Santos left the score level. Santos must have been disappointed as they played most of the game against ten after Meza's 19th minute sending-off. Ludueña also contrived to miss the subsequent penalty. It looked as though these errors would haunt Santos as they went two down at home in the second leg, with goals from Borgetti and Suazo. It wasn't until the 77th minute that the 'Laguneros' pulled one back, and in a dramatic finish Fernando Arce grabbed the equaliser three minutes into injury time when he headed a poor Orozco clearance powerfully into the net. The 3-3 aggregate score put Santos through to the final on higher league position.

Final: Santos v Cruz Azul

Primera A
Indios de Ciudad Juárez clinched a spot in next season's top flight after overcoming León in the Primera A play-off tie. Carlos Casartelli scored the only goal of the first leg, although León were aggrieved to have a goal wrongly chalked off. Teh second leg ended 2-2 with Quiñones opening the scoring for León but goals from Stringel and Maz early in the second half gave Indios control. A late equaliser by Gómez caused a few jitters but football now returns to the North Mexican border for the first time since the Cobras.