Mexico City, Mexico – America moved to within one point of first-place Tijuana on Saturday as Cristian Benitez scored a hat trick in his team's 4-0 thumping of Pachuca.
Tijuana was held to a 0-0 draw at home against San Luis, allowing America to take advantage with the win and edge closer to the top of the league.
Benitez tallied the lone goal in the first half in the 23rd minute, and Raul Jimenez added to it shortly after halftime.
The two-goal lead remained intact until the final 10 minutes, when Benitez scored twice to seal the win.
Toluca could have jumped into first place with a win on Sunday against Morelia, but the club was held to a 0-0 draw and remains one point back. However, Toluca has a game in hand and can pass Tijuana on Wednesday when the club visits Monterrey.
On Friday, Jaguares got two goals from Edgar Andrade in a 3-0 victory over UNAM, while Santos scored twice in the second half to notch a 2-1 comeback win against Cruz Azul.
Guadalajara recorded a 1-0 win at Queretaro with Marco de la Mora's 84th- minute goal, Alan Pulido provided the lone strike in a 1-0 win for Tigres at Monterrey, Puebla snatched an equalizer deep into stoppage time through Aldo Ramirez to claim a 2-2 draw at Atlas and Leon moved to within a point of the top spot as Nelson Maz scored two goals in the first half of a 3-2 win over Atlante.
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