Pachuca defeat Atlas as Cocca points finger at officials

The numbers at Atlas are worrying. The two-time Mexican soccer champion can’t find any form. By the time we were done on Thursday night, they had gone four consecutive games without a victory, after losing 3-1 on their visit to Pachuca. In addition, of the last 24 points available to them, they’d only been able to take five. The team led by Diego Cocca is sinking, after tasting glory in the two most recent tournaments.

More Atlas woes against Pachuca

The early game of matchday 16 got off to a slow start at the Estadio Hidalgo. Emotions take time to appear. Roberto de la Rosa receives the ball inside the area, down the right flank. He looks up and takes a shot, one that is deflected by Luis Reyes. It breaks to Romario Ibarra, facing the goal, but his effort is poor. It goes over the crossbar.

As they push on with little clarity, the teams immediately try from distance. A left-footed shot from Mauricio Isaís goes just over, on minute 30. A minute later, the red and black’s Jeremy Márquez lets go with power. Former Atlas goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari, covers.

More chances come but the teams go in at the break with no goals. It’s a game that has actually offered little.

VAR intervenes for penalty and red card

The second half sees the team from Hidalgo pushing for the long-awaited goal. Nicolás Ibáñez escapes down the right flank and his attempt is stopped by Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas who stretches his right leg to deflect. During In the play, Anderson Santamaría sweeps and knocks down the footballer after he releases the shot. The referee is called to review by VAR. After watching the repetitions, he points for the penalty and send off the Peruvian defender. It is Nicolás Ibáñez himself who stands in front of the ball with an hour on the clock. He makes it 1-0 for Pachuca.

With one player less on the pitch, Atlas quickly finds the equalizer. Camilo Vargas takes a very long clearance. The local defense fails to go up and Ozziel Herrera nips in to tie the game on ‘66.

But the Tuzos have a numerical advantage on the pitch and intend to regain the lead on the scoreboard. Nicolás Ibáñez controls inside the area, down the left flank. He cuts in and sees his effort rebound off the post, with Camilo Vargas fortunate to escape.

Shortly after, Marino Hinestroza controls the ball outside the area, finds Luis Chávez, who finished with a low left foot under Camilo Vargas. Pachuca regains the lead with 73 minutes played.

With one less man on the field, the game appears settled and in the final minute Chofis Javier Eduardo López adds the gloss. 3-1 the result.

After the game Atlas coach Diego Cocca was not happy with the decisions.

“A penalty and sending off changes the game for any team. Playing with 10 makes everything uphill. We competed against Pachuca, we hope to compete against León as well.”