Necaxa knocks reigning champions Pachuca out of Liga MX liguilla

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:52 am

Necaxa managed a 0-0 draw away to Pachuca on Sunday to knock the reigning Liga MX champion out of the Apertura liguilla and set up a semifinal against Club America.

The result means the other semifinal will be Tigres against Leon, with the first legs to be played either Wednesday or Thursday and the second legs on Saturday or Sunday.

The recently-promoted Necaxa won 2-1 on aggregate in a shock result last Thursday and was able to follow it up against Los Tuzos, who had been the highest scorer in the regular season.

Players of Necaxa celebrate after their quarterfinal win over Pachuca.
Players of Necaxa celebrate after their quarterfinal win over Pachuca.
Hector Vivas/LatinContent/Getty Images

Tigres thrashed Pumas 5-0 on Saturday to book their place in the semi, while Leon lost 3-2 to Club Tijuana, but advanced 5-3 on aggregate.

Also on Sunday, Club America defeated Chivas 1-0 in the Clasico Nacional to move through 2-1 on aggregate.

Should Club America reach the final of the Apertura 2016 -- in its centennial year - it would be played on Dec. 22 and Dec. 25, due to the club's involvement in the Club World Cup in Japan.