Javier Lopez scored twice in Chivas' win over Veracruz. Alfredo Moya/Jam Media/Getty Images

As Friday night's game between Veracruz and Chivas kicked off, fans of the Mexican game waded into what will be one of the most intense stretches of action the Apertura will offer. Starting with last weekend and ending next Sunday night, fans will have the chance to devour a grand total of 27 matches, with games on every day except Monday and Thursday.

Teams might have been prompted then to ease into the insanity and preserve their energy -- they did not. Across the weekend, 23 goals were scored and just two matches ended in a draw, capping a wild, exciting slate. Here's what we learned.

1. Chivas fight back for convincing win in Veracruz

No team needs the upcoming stretch to go well as much as Guadalajara does. Before Friday's game in Veracruz, manager Jose Cardozo was hanging on by a thread, as the beleaguered administration that hired him needs any sort of peace treaty with the team's fans, so enraged after former manager Matias Almeyda's exit.

As it turns out, the Tiburones, another team in chaos, was just the opponent to get Cardozo and Chivas back on track. Javier "Chofis" Lopez turned in his best performance in seasons as he notched a brace (including a silky finish on his second goal with a sombrerito) inside the game's first half-hour to push the visitors ahead.

After Rodrigo Noya's red card left Veracruz with 10 men early in the second half, it looked like Chivas could grab an even wider margin of victory. Though they eventually didn't, confidence is back on Guadalajara's side as they return home on Tuesday to face Necaxa, one of the league's most exciting albeit inconsistent squads.

2. Shooting boots missing for Pumas at critical time

Week 3's bout against Atlas seemed to lend credence to the claim Pumas' blistering start was for real and not just temporary success. David Patino's team had scored 10 goals during the span, winning every match in the league to that point. In the last two games, however, the early firepower has been depleted, with no goals to show from a draw at home against Pachuca and now a 1-0 loss at Monterrey.

Ahead of a tough stretch in which they'll host Queretaro on Tuesday and visit rivals Club America on Saturday, Pumas will need to do better than the one shot on target mustered up this weekend at the Estadio BBVA Bancomer. After Nico Sanchez scored the game's only goal in just the fourth minute of action, Pumas actually bossed possession against one of the league's most consistent teams in that regard. Thus, the poor run of form might be remembered later on as a blip in an otherwise successful campaign if Pumas is able to get back on track in front of goal sooner rather than later.

3. Despite managerial instability, Santos stays near the top

It was more than logical to suggest Santos Laguna might be in rebuild mode just months after cementing the Clausura 2018 title. The reasons were somewhat overwhelming: the selling of key players within their roster, and internal strife that led to manager Robert Siboldi resigning just weeks into the season.

Well, the defending champs are alive and kicking -- and then some. A commanding 3-1 win over Tigres on Sunday made clear that Santos is a team built on adversity. After Julio Furch opened scoring in the first half, Eduardo Vargas drew level from the penalty spot (more on that later). Jonathan Rodriguez then scored two goals in seven minutes to put the game to bed.

Tigres was unable to take advantage of a rarity in any game - three penalties called in their favor. Just nine minutes after the game's first kick, Andre-Pierre Gignac missed the game's first gilt edge chance from the spot. Vargas looked to right the ship after scoring his penalty kick in the 52nd minute. However, Vargas was unable to convert a second time just 10 minutes from the end, deflating what could have been a late-game rally.

Milton Caraglio of Cruz Azul celebrates after scoring his side's third goal. Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images

4. Cruz Azul remains unstoppable

An impressive unbeaten start after four games seemed destined to come to an end when in the 19th minute, defender Gerardo Flores picked up a red card for Cruz Azul in their clash against Leon. Jose de Jesus Corona denied Leon's attackers early on to keep the game 0-0, and Elias Hernandez, one of the competition's best players thus far, took care of the rest.

A headed goal a half hour in was quickly followed by a second strike against his former team before the half-time whistle to deflate the opposition. A red card to Leon's Alexander Mejia to even the numbers was sandwiched between both goals. Finally, Milton Caraglio scored late in the second half to end finish the scoring at 3-0 to Cruz Azul.

For years, Cruz Azul has been a team so comically unable to deal with any kind of adversity. Today, under the stewardship of proven winners Ricardo Pelaez and Pedro Caixinha, this team looks as good as it has in decades.