Canelo hat-trick sends Toluca top of Liga MX

MEXICO CITY - Alexis Canelo netted a hat-trick as Toluca rose to the top of Mexico's Liga MX Clausura standings on Sunday with a 4-0 home win over Mazatlan.

The Argentine striker put the hosts ahead on the half-hour mark when his shot deflected off defender Nestor Vidrio, leaving Uruguayan goalkeeper Nicolas Vikonis with no chance.

Toluca extended their advantage five minutes later as Canelo again breached Mazatlan's defense, this time with a header after a floating Rubens Sambueza free-kick.

Sambueza then found the target by thumping an unstoppable 35-yard shot into the top-right corner.

Camilo Sanvezzo pulled a goal back for the visitors in the 67th minute, lashing home an angled shot after a bungled defensive clearance was headed into his path by Carlos Vargas.

Canelo completed his hat-trick three minutes from time with a solo run and low finish from the edge of the 18-yard box.

The result left Toluca level on points with Monterrey and America but with a superior goal difference.