Puebla hangs on for 1-0 victory over Jaguares

Puebla blanks Jaguares

HOUSTON — Nicolas Olivera scored in the 67th minute and Puebla held on to clinch a spot in one of the two InterLiga finals with a 1-0 win over Jaguares Wednesday night at Robertson Stadium.

Puebla improved to 2-0-0 with six points in Group B with one game remaining against Monterrey on Sunday in Carson, Calif.

Puebla can finish no worse than second in Group B assuring them a spot in one of the two finals next Wednesday. Jaguares dropped to 0-1-1 with a point after the loss with a game remaining against Tigres UANL Sunday in Carson.

Carlos Ruiz outmuscled his defender on the left side and sent a cross into the middle of the box where Olivera headed it in from the penalty spot in the 67th minute.

Jaguares outshot Puebla 12-11, with all 12 of Puebla’s shots coming in the second half, but for a second straight game Jaguares couldn’t find the back of the net.

Jaguares had multiple chances to even the score in the final minutes, but Puebla goalkeeper Jorge Villalpando, who made eight saves, stopped three shots by Antonio Salazar and two by Danilo Veron to give Puebla the win.