Quarterfinalists decided in Liga MX as Cruz Azul, Pachuca and Leon eliminated

The quarterfinals are set in the Liga MX Clausura 2023 playoffs (Liguilla) after a weekend of upsets during the reclassification phase. Tigres UANL was the lone survivor of the three home sides in the play-in round as Cruz Azul, defending champions Pachuca and Concacaf Champions League finalists Leon were upset.

The re-seeding brings us a Guadalajara Derby, a Clásico Tapatio series, as part of the four matchups in the quarterfinals. Mexican outlets are already salivating at the potential semifinals of Chivas vs. Club America, the Clásico Nacional, and a Monterrey Derby series between Tigres and Rayados.

Before we get too far ahead, let's recap the weekend that was in Mexican football: 

Match results

Cruz Azul 0, Atlas 1

Cruz Azul came just short of where they wanted to get to with manager Tuca Ferretti. For Atlas, who during the year had doubts about new manager Benjamin Mora, it was the opposite effect.

Despite being without key striker Julio Furch due to suspension, the Guadalajara side took control of the game from the get-go. Former MLS and Houston Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas got the starting nod and was helpful in the build up to the games opening goal in the second minute. Manotas fed the ball to Julián Quiñones, who then teed it over to Brian Lozano for a wonderful curler. It was Lozano's first goal inside the box after six great plays from outside the box during the regular season. 

Manotas had a goal of his own a bit later in the first half but had it called off after a VAR review. An offside call erased the two-goal lead, but Atlas had done enough to advance and went through with the 1-0 away win.

Pachuca 4, Santos Laguna 4 (Santos advance on PKs 4-2)

The Saturday primetime match delivered the entertainment value for the timeslot as defending champions Pachuca were eliminated by Santos Laguna. Eight goals were not enough to decide this encounter and a penalty kick shootout was needed.

Former LAFC striker "Chicho" Arango opened the scoring with a penalty conversion in the 7th minute. Harold Preciado equalized for the visitors with a header inside the box four minutes later. Three minutes after that, it was Roberto de la Rosa who regained the lead for the home side. Santos tied it again off a corner kick conversion from Felix Torres in the 26th but Pachuca would get a corner of their own off Romario Ibarra for the 3-1 lead at halftime.

Raul "Dedos" Lopez leveled the game in the 52nd as the madness continued into the second half. The next two goals came in the dying moments of the match, with Erick "Chiquito" Sanchez seemingly grabbing the game-winner for the home side in the 90'+2, only to be tied three minutes later off a free kick opportunity by Dória.

Former San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Javier "La Chofis" Lopez converted in the shootout, but Santos Laguna pulled the upset in the end. As the last overall seed, the Laguneros booked its ticket to the quarterfinals against Monterrey.

Leon 1, Atletico San Luis 3

Coming off a 3-1 second leg win over Tigres UANL in the Concacaf Champions League, Leon was favorites against San Luis and one of the teams to watch in the title race. Leon took the lead in the third minute, thanks to Victor Davila, and looked to be walking easily towards the quarters.

Two minutes later, however, a defensive lapse would allow former Wolves forward Léo Bonatini to equalize for the visitors. Captain and former Mexico national team midfielder Javier Güemez made it 2-1 in the 33rd with a laser inside the box, assisted by the wide play of Vitinho. The 22-year-old Brazilian then scored the third right before the half off an interception and San Luis would go on to keep the result and complete the upset.

As the second-lowest seed, Atletico de San Luis will face Club America. USMNT forward Alejandro Zendejas is doubtful for the first leg as he has been training separately, recovering from injury.

Tigres UANL 1, Puebla 0

Puebla was celebrating its 79th anniversary and hoping that there was some upset magic in the air to become the fourth away side to win in the reclassification phase. The two goalkeepers stood out in this one for a few key saves, but Tigres' scoring struggles also continued. Sebastián Córdova broke through with the lone goal of the match in the 56th off an assist from Diego Lainez. The visitors would have a chance to tie after a handball in the 70th, revised by VAR, awarded a penalty. Diego de Buen hit the spot kick wide of the mark and the 1-0 was enough for the home team to survive and advance.

Surprise of the Week

Atletico de San Luis looked like a long shot to beat Leon at home. The earlier meeting between the two teams back in March ended in a dominant 2-0 victory for the now-CCL finalists. Especially after the way the team had beat Tigres earlier in the week, it looked like a sure result, but that's why they play the games, right? San Luis coach Andre Jardine placed perhaps his best plan of attack of the year and it paid off. 

They did it also without star goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero, out to injury, and Andrés Sánchez stepping in. Former MLS goalkeeper David Ochoa was let go by the club earlier in the week due to indiscipline but may have started in this match had his exit not been sealed. For what it's worth, Mexican national team coach Diego Cocca was in attendance.

Nicolas Larcamon's side will now be inactive until the end of the month when his side faces LAFC in the CCL finals. Leon will not have had any competitive matches for three weeks, but will have more time to focus on studying the MLS Cup champions.

Goal of the Week

Raul Lopez of Santos Laguna takes the honors this week for this magnificent strike. 

Number of the Week: 24

Tigres UANL goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman reached 24 clean sheets in Liga MX playoff games. He surpassed Hernán Cristante for that record.

What we’re looking forward to this week

From here on out, each round will be contested in a home-and-home series. The lower-seeded teams will host midweek with the return leg taking place at the higher seed over the weekend.

The home side also determines which TV station broadcasts that game. 

Wednesday, May 10

• 8 p.m. CT - Santos Laguna vs. Monterrey (FOX Deportes)
• 10 p.m. CT - San Luis vs. Club America (TUDN)

Thursday, May 11

• 8 p.m. CT - Atlas vs. Chivas (TUDN)
• 10 p.m. CT - Tigres UANL vs. Toluca (TUDN)

Saturday, May 13

• 8 p.m. CT - Monterrey vs. Santos Laguna (FOX Deportes)
• 10 p.m. CT - Club America vs. Atletico San Luis (Univision, TUDN)

Sunday, May 14

• 1 p.m. CT - Toluca vs. Tigres UANL (Univision, TUDN)
• 8 p.m. CT - Chivas vs. Atlas (Telemundo)