Coming into the match, both teams needed three points to further their postseason ambitions. After a rain-soaked affair, Pachuca is one step closer to the repechaje, downing Santos Laguna 1-0 despite losing a player to a red card before the half. Santos on the other hand are now in the unenviable position of only having some control over their playoff fate. They can still go straight to the Liguilla if they’re able to break the deadlock with Monterrey and hold off León, who are in sixth place, two points behind the aforementioned clubs.
Santos started out on the front foot, maintaining possession and remaining patient while trying to find an opening for an odd-numbered rush.