Atlas moves into 2nd spot with win over Chivas

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Atlas claimed second spot in the Mexican first division after a 1-0 win over Chivas on Sunday that edged their bitter Guadalajara rivals closer to relegation after the 12th round.

America retains the league lead, two points ahead of Atlas, despite being thrashed 4-0 by Cruz Azul, while Monterrey and is three points from the top with a game in hand after snatching a 1-1 draw against Tijuana.

In other matches this weekend, reigning champion Leon defeated Queretaro 2-1, Tigres beat Veracruz 1-0, Santos Laguna drew 2-2 with Morelia, Pachuca overcame Chiapas 2-0, Leones Negros secured a 1-0 victory against Pumas, and Toluca and Puebla played out a 1-1 draw.

Enrique Perez secured the win for Atlas in the 24th minute with a powerful header into the top left corner.

Mariano Pavone opened the scoring for Cruz Azul in the 15th and Christian Gimenez doubled the lead in the 85th after a thirty-meter (-yard) pass from Joao Rojas. Gerardo Flores struck a third after chesting down a Gimenez cross in the last minute of regular time and Rojas sped past three defenders to net another seconds before the final whistle.

Tijuana's Dario Benedetto scored from close range in the 25th minute, but Monterrey's Jesus Zavala headed in an equalizer from a free kick in the last move of the game.