Last Updated on October 21, 2022 3:49 pm by Erwin Noguera
The first two first legs of the semifinals of the Liga MX 2022 opening tournament have already been played, and we have two teams that have an advantage going into the second match, while the other two will be looking for a comeback that will allow them to qualify for the final of the tournament.
Let’s remember that the playoff criteria in this Liguilla 2022 would be based on the position in which the teams finished the regular phase, so América and Monterrey would be at an advantage in this aspect. We say this because these two teams lost their first-leg matches and, if they manage to tie the series in this home match, they would qualify for the final.
Nothing is definite, but the scales are tipping a little in favor of the teams that managed to win the first leg. Toluca surprised everyone by defeating América for the first time in approximately 3 months with a 2-1 scoreline.
On the other hand, Pachuca came out on top and crushed a Monterrey team that could not withstand the constant onslaught of the home team and the match ended with a score of 5-2.
Liga MX Semifinals – Roundup – Toluca vs. América – Info
When: Wednesday, October 19 at 10:06 pm ET
Moneyline odds: Toluca +285 / América -110 (Source: MyBookie.ag)
Draw Offs: +280
Where Can I Watch it? Fox Sports / TUDN / ViX
The semifinals of this Liguilla of the Apertura 2022 Liga MX Tournament began with the match between Toluca and América, where the team from the capital was the favorite after having played a tournament close to perfection, but things did not turn out as they expected.
América was unable to defeat Toluca and fell 1-2 in the first leg of the semifinals of the Apertura 2022 Liga MX Tournament. The Diablos Rojos pulled off the big surprise by scoring two goals against the Águilas during the first half and had the strength to hold on to the result in the second half.
América came into this match with a lot of confidence and, from the start, they wanted to show their rival that they were not worried about playing on the road, but a spectacular Toluca awaited them and gave them a big blow on the table.
It all started in the 23rd minute when Haret Ortega scored Toluca’s first goal. This began to worry America in their aspirations to return to the Azteca Stadium with a favorable result. Despite the visiting team’s attempts, Toluca scored their second goal of the night through a penalty shot by Leonardo Fernandez in the 42nd minute, leaving the game with a 2-0 lead at halftime in favor of the locals.
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America had to go for the kill in the second half. In the 57th minute, the first change was made, Aquino came on for Sánchez, and 10 minutes later, Brian Rodríguez replaced Jonathan Rodríguez and Roger Martínez replaced Diego Valdéz.
These changes did not have much effect, although América scored a goal in the 79th minute, scored by Emilio Lara.
With this result, Toluca must go to the Azteca Stadium to win or tie the match, while America only needs to win, no matter what the result is.
Result: Toluca (2) – (1) América
Liga MX Semifinals – Roundup – Monterrey vs. Pachuca – Info
When: Thursday, October 20 at 10:06 pm ET
Moneyline odds: Monterrey +265 / Pachuca +108 (Source: MyBookie.ag)
Draw Offs: +240
Where Can I Watch it? Fox Sports / TUDN / ViX
The second match of the day did not disappoint and gave soccer fans a rain of goals in which Pachuca came away with a comfortable 5-2 victory over a Monterrey team that must score in the second leg if it wants to qualify for the final.
Monterrey’s coach, Víctor Manuel Vucetich, surprised Pachuca at the start of the match by abandoning his traditional orderly and defensive game. He changed it for an aggressive formula from midfield upwards and, despite being behind on two occasions in the first half, he was able to react and equalize the score on the same two occasions.
Nicolás Ibáñez finally appeared at a decisive moment and opened the scoring in the 9th minute after a corner kick taken by Pachuca. Monterrey responded almost immediately and in the 18th minute, they tied the match with a spectacular header by Hector Moreno.
Romario Ibarra gave Pachuca the lead again just 5 minutes later, where Monterrey’s defense was hesitant. Monterrey’s reaction was slow, but it came, and just before halftime, they managed to equalize again, with a goal by Luis Romo in the 42nd minute.
The second half was a festival for Pachuca, which scored goals in the 47th, 86th, and 92nd minutes, through Paulino de la Fuente and Nicolás Ibánez (x2), respectively, to give the game a definitive score and go into the second leg with a three-goal cushion.
With this result, Pachuca can win, draw or even lose by 2 goals to qualify for the final. Meanwhile, Monterrey must win by 3 goals or more to qualify.
Result: Monterrey (2) – (5) Pachuca
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