Game 6: Jaguares 0 - 3 Pumas

Video highlights here.

Pumas put themselves right back into contention for a play-off place and leapt up to third in the overall table with a much-needed away win in Tuxtla Gutierrez against an increasingly forlorn Jaguares team. There was much more of a cutting edge on display than some previous Pumas performances, and two nice goals in the first twenty minutes settled nerves and allowed the team to play.

Tuca had again revamped the starting structure, reverting ostensibly to 4-4-2, but with the wide men Íñiguez (picture) and Morales tucking inside a little and with licence to play behind a holding front two of López and Cacho. Chiapas continued in the left-hand side (and more attacking) midfield role.

The game (after the false start where Mauricio Morales had to call play back to kick off again) had an amibitious start from both teams, and there was a lot of movement and endeavour. Both teams were also keen to play the ball to feet and work on precise passing. But before ten minutes had gone, the villain on Saturday became hero for the visitors when Ismael Íñiguez put Pumas in front. After Chiapas played him the ball he beat one player and took a nice one two from López, bursting between two defenders and slotting the ball underneath Villaseñor. It was a move made at pace, and definitely a nice tonic for both "El Cachas" and Pumas.

Only nine minutes later the away side were two up. Again it stemmed from good work by Íñiguez who controlled a difficult ball out on the right touchline. Stabbing the ball across to Morales, "El Zurdo" played another nice one-two, with Cacho, and although Villaseñor saved the first effort, Morales was able to head in the rebound for the second. After such a barren spell it was good to see Pumas's four main forward players creating danger and scoring goals.

Jaguares had to react and "Bofo" Bautista started to come into the game, coming deeper than usual and creating some space for Mora, Danilinho and Rojas. But Pumas continued to have more of the ball, and Rodolfo Espinoza came on early for Jaguares to try and turn things around. The match started to lack impetus as Pumas looked satisfied while the team in orange struggled to impose themselves. Jaguares did manage a couple of efforts before half-time, a long-range attempt from Luiz and Bernal having to save (albeit comfortably) from Rojas.

The second half started as the first had finished, Pumas holding a lot of possession but going forward with little urgency, and Jaguares scraping around and pushing forward with intensity when they had the ball. The Pumas defence controlled things calmly, allowing only a weak shot from Gutiérrez in the way of chances, plus a couple of shots from long range. Finally the team from Chiapas began to run out of steam.

From then on the game was effectively over - there seemed little way back for Jaguares and Dante López almost made it three on the hour clipping the bar with a meaty strike from the edge of the area. Then when he made way for Palencia, the veteran striker pulled a magnificent save out of Villaseñor with a curling shot headed for the top corner. It was only a couple of minutes later when "El Gatillero" Palencia got the third, after a catalogue of errors fom the Jaguares defense. A cross from Castro was miscleared by both central defenders and Palencia swivelled nicely to beat a non-plussed Villaseñor from about 8 yards out, who frankly should have done better.

Jaguares kept at the task but never really looked like breaching a well-set Pumas defense where Verón was again outstanding. They now look to be out of the running for a Liguilla place, while Pumas have their destiny in their own hands for the final two games, against Tecos and Monterrey.

Goals
Ismael Íñiguez (9 minutes) 0-1
Fernando Morales (19) 0-2
Juan Francisco Palencia (77) 0-3

Cards
Pumas: yellow: Velarde (foul on Danilinho)
Jaguares: yellow: Rojas (complaining to the referee)

Player Ratings
Bernal 6 - did all that was asked of him - a couple of decent saves
Velarde 6 - saw something of him going forward and was safe in defense
Palacios 6 - steady and his distribution was better, although overplays the long ball
Verón 7 - once again approaching his best form he was untroubled and composed
Juárez 6 - a decent effort but his crossing lacks precision
Castro 7 - getting better and won a good deal of ball
Chiapas 7 - his passing and vision were very good
Morales 6 - nice goal and then drifted out of the game
Íñiguez 8 - man of the match for creating the first two goals and laying to rest Saturday's ghost
Cacho 6 - looks good laying it off for others but has lost the goalscoring touch (if he ever had it)
López 6 - Tuca is right to keep faith in the Paraguayan who contributes a lot even when not scoring
Palencia 7 - after constantly saying he looked unlikely to score, in this game he looked dangerous and his confidence is high
Toledo & Cabrera - neither on for very long but both looked spritely

Tuca 7 - his tactical judgement worked out this time, and if Pumas are to do well he needs to get the best out of Morales and Íñiguez

Elsewhere in Mexico
Two other pending league games were played on Wednesday. The Game 9 fixture between Tecos and Pachuca ended in a 2-2 draw in Guadalajara. Both teams had chances to win but the outstanding figure was Pachuca goalkeeper Miguel calero who made a number of fine saves. Tecos thus missed a chance to go back to the top of a difficult Group 2.

Cruz Azul gained ground in the same group with a3-1 away win at Tigres. Goals from Joaquín Beltrán, Miguel Sabah and Nicolas Vigneri also allowed the "cementeros" to celebrate their passage through to the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League after Marathón's 2-0 win over Saprissa.

Chivas advanced to the semi-finals of the Copa Sudamericana after coming from two behind to draw 2-2 with River Plate and advance 4-3 on aggregate. They will now play Internacional, who put out Boca Juniors, on12th and19th November.

Next Up
In what is turning out to be an exciting finish to the regular season, Pumas entertain Tecos on Sunday. Pumas Morelos play Cruz Azul Hidalgo.