Cruz Azul moved into 10th place in the Liga MX thanks to a 3-0 thumping of 10-man Atlante on Sunday.
Both sides entered the clash at Atlante's Estadio Olimpico Andres in dire need of victory, with just two wins apiece from their 10 games so far in Mexico's top flight.
And it was the eight-time Mexican champions who came out the stronger, boosted by the sending off of Atlante's Uruguayan defender Joe Bizera in the 27th minute.
Cruz Azul took advantage of their numerical advantage, with a goal either side of half-time to Argentine striker Mariano Pavone giving them a 2-0 lead by the 56-minute mark.
Jair Pereira completed the rout in the 81st minute, and the victory saw Cruz Azul leapfrog Toluca, Puebla, Morelia and Monterrey into 10th spot on goal difference.
In Sunday's other result, Pumas UNAM played out a 0-0 draw with second-bottom side Leon.
After a second draw in three matches, Pumas have slipped to sixth place on 17 points, eight behind leaders Tigres UANL.
