Liga MX is a league known for nonsense. And nonsense can be a variety of things. I’ve written in the past about the bad side of insanity: violence, unprofessional-ism, and the vulgar chants that plague so many Liga MX matches.
But there is also a good kind of crazy, the kind that reminds us all why this is the most fun sports league on earth. This weekend had absolutely no shortage of the best variety of complete nonsense. Fans of the silly side of futbol were treated to several moments that they will remember forever as iconic Liga MX scenes.
El Tlacuache
The first match of the weekend was not particularly exciting on paper or in the stadium, but an unlikely visitor put all eyes on Veracruz for the first time in who knows how long. The now famous possum, who has been nicknamed El Jarochito, stole the show as it danced across the field and around the benches.
Now any video of a tiny (and cute) animal running around a soccer game is going to get some attention, but the fact that this was not a dog or a typical invader, but a possum, combined with the fact that absolutely nobody cared about this game before Jarochito made their debut makes it all the more fun.
Memes took over twitter. Jarochito was named player of the game. People have since shared stories and fake headlines that the tiny marsupial has been contacted by Tata Martino about suiting up for El Tri, and has attracted interest from major clubs in Europe.
#ViernesBotanero???????????? @ClubTiburones 0-1 @ClubPueblaMX
¡Les presentamos al jugador del partido, al espectacular Tlacuache! ????????
???? Disfrútalo en línea: https://t.co/c3k088B8Sn pic.twitter.com/s6qXrATGqH
— Azteca Deportes (@AztecaDeportes) January 26, 2019
Rayados vs América
If the Tlacuache appearance was silly and fun, this game was just stupid. I think it’s fair to say that this was one of the dumbest games we’ve seen in a long time, and it’s also fair to say it was one of the most fun.
Unlike the Veracruz match which was of no interest to most fans, this was the biggest game of the weekend, and there was plenty to enjoy even without any animal antics.
Five goals. Four red cards. Two penalties. Three uses of VAR, two of which were probably incorrect. It was the perfect example of the ref completely losing control of the game, but it was a rare instance where doing so only made everything better.
Video highlights can explain what happened far better than anyone could in text, so I’ll keep it brief, but the first red card given five minutes into the match went from debatably not a foul to straight red after VAR, and seemingly ruined the entire match.
Otra jugada polémica en la #LigaMx con el #VAR, #FernandoGuerrero expulsa a Avilés Hurtado.
La falla no es de la tecnología, es la apreciación del árbitro#Clausura2019 pic.twitter.com/SGRJg43UEu— Miguel Ángel Avilés (@aviles_mgl) January 27, 2019
The game was rescued however, by several more nonsensical decisions, including what can only be described as a make-up call a few minutes later when Rayados were gifted a penalty.
When the dust settled, Rayados emerged the victors 3-2, remaining unbeaten on the year with 10 points from four matches. We can only hope that Jornada 5 brings the same level of excitement.
