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Benitez strike earns victory for Mexican champions Santos
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-06 10:04
MEXICO CITY - Ecuador striker Christian Benitez notched his sixth goal of the campaign to give Mexican champions Santos Laguna a 1-0 win over Morelia on Sunday.

Benitez collected a pass in midfield and left several defenders in his wake before scoring in the 57th minute to keep Santos Laguna alive in the Apertura championship.

The win left Santos second in Group One with 16 points from 11 games, six behind leaders Atlante, who won 2-0 at Puebla.

America, Mexico's richest club, stayed bottom of Group Two after being held 1-1 by Pumas UNAM in a Mexico City derby.

Argentine Alfredo Mendoza headed America in front in the eighth minute and Fernando Morales fired the Pumas level five minutes after halftime.

"I think we played a lot better, we had enough chances to settle the game," America coach Ramon Diaz told reporters.