Liga MX wrap: Tigres, Pachuca open with wins

Tigres UANL made a perfect start to the Liga MX season with a 3-0 home win over Jaguares on Saturday.

After a goalless first half, Ricardo Ferretti’s side claimed the lead on 50 minutes when Argentine striker Emmanuel Villa hit the back of the net.

The goal was Villa’s first for his new club after crossing from Pumas UNAM on January 1 and he quickly made it two on 68 minutes.

Villa – who had a stint in England at Derby County – sealed the result with his hat-trick, scored four minutes from time as Tigres claimed top spot.

Pachuca sit second after a 2-0 home win over Atlante that came thanks to goals in the last 25 minutes from Abraham Carreno and Hector Herrera.

Rubens Sambueza’s 94th-minute penalty gave America a 2-1 win over Monterrey while Tijuana won by the same scoreline at Puebla.

Other results saw Leon and Queretaro draw 2-2 while San Luis and Santos Laguna and Pumas UNAM and Atlas played out 1-1 draws.

The match between Guadalajara and Toluca also ended at 1-1 while Morelia and Cruz Azul were locked at 3-3 at the end of 90 minutes.