Atlas and Pumas played out a 1:1 draw in the Liga MX Apertura round 9 on Friday evening. The match ended with Pumas reduced to ten men after Adalberto Carrasquilla saw red in the 87th minute. Both sides had chances but couldn't find a winner.
Ángel Azuaje gave the visitors the lead in the 23rd minute, a well-taken effort that put Pumas ahead. Atlas responded well and equalised through Luís André Leite Esteves just before half-time, the goal coming in the 45th minute plus six seconds. The break gave both teams something to think about.
And here's the thing — the statistics don't tell the full story. Atlas had 54 per cent possession and took 14 shots in total, but only converted one. Pumas were more clinical with 46 per cent possession, hitting the target three times and scoring once. The visitors also had three saves to Atlas's two, which says something about how each goalkeeper was tested.
The match turned at the end with Atlas pushing for a winner. They brought on Carlos Antuna and Ángel Azuaje in the 87th minute, the scorer himself being replaced. That's when Carrasquilla was shown a red card for Pumas, ending any hopes of holding on for the draw.
Atlas remain sixth with 14 points after nine games, four wins, two draws and three losses. Pumas sit 11th with 12 points, three victories, three draws and three defeats. The gap between them is only two points, and that's what matters in this league.
We had Atlas to win with 40 per cent confidence, but the match went another way. The hosts had the chances but couldn't take them, and the visitors took theirs when it counted. By then the game was already decided on merit, or lack of it.
