Cruz Azul started off on the right foot in a decisive week, as they obtained the first three points by defeating the "cañoneros" 2-0 at the Azteca Stadium.
The goals for Cruz Azul came from Gonzalo Carneiro, who took advantage of a serious error by Jorge Meré to score his second goal in the Liga MX. The Uruguayan arrived from behind the Spaniard, who was too confident and when trying to clear the ball, he hit it against Carneiro's foot and it ended up in the back of the Mazatlán's net.
Ángel Romero scored the final goal from the penalty spot in added time of the first half (45'+5'), after a clear handball by the Venezuelan Eduard Bello, who tried to intercept a cross from Jaiber Jiménez.
With this result, Cruz Azul climbed to the 14th position in the general table with 15 points and declared themselves ready to shout on Thursday, September 15, when they host León at the Coloso de Santa Úrsula, in a match corresponding to matchday 16 of this Apertura 2022. This match will serve as a prelude to the classic game between Cruz Azul and Pumas, which will be held on Sunday, September 18, at the Olímpico Universitario. This match will be intense, as both clubs will be playing for their fate in this tournament.
On the other hand, Mazatlán, who ended the match with one man less after the expulsion of Raúl Sandoval, who punched Uriel Antuna, remains in the repechage positions in 11th place in the general table with 15 points. Next Saturday, they will host Toluca at the Kraken Stadium, in a match that will be a matter of life or death for the "cañoneros", as they only have three games left to play and if they dream of securing a spot in the "Fiesta Grande," they will need to gather as many points as possible.