Leon got their first three points of the 2025 Apertura after defeating Chivas by a 1-0 score. It was a very even match in which Chivas deserved more than a loss but Leon were able to get the result after some controversial plays. Leon will now make their first away trip of the season when they go to Mexico City to face off against Cruz Azul while Chivas will host Atletico San Luis.
The 1st half started with Chivas coming out with Alan Pulido and Cade Cowell up top, more offensive in their debut than
in the last games of the Clausura 2025. A left footed shot form Erick Gutierrez would go just wide. After a good run into the area, Ivan Moreno got off a right footed shot that was blocked by Chivas’ goalkeeper, Raul Rangel. The game turned very even and although it was a lively match, there were almost no chances for either side. A great thru pass from Bryan Gonzalez would get to Cowell, who would get past Leon’s goalkeeper, Oscar Garcia, but the ball would get too far from him and he would lose the ball, wasting an open net chance. The halftime whistle blew and although it had been exciting, there were almost no chances and the 0-0 result was deserved.
The 2nd half started with neither team making a substitution. Roberto Alvarado got off a right footed shot from outside the area that went wide. A cross into the area was headed just wide by Gonzalez. A cross into the area by Cowell went past Garcia but it was cleared by a defender before Jose Castillo could get a wide open chance. Leon had a great chance when Luis Romo cleared a ball right to Rodrigo Echevarria who then got past Rangel and gave a pass to Ettson Ayon, who lost the ball after being apparently tripped by Gutierrez. After going to VAR, the ref decided to give Leon a PK. James Rodriguez stepped up to take the PK and slotted his left footed shot past Rangel to score and give Leon the 1-0 lead. Chivas subbed out Bryan Gonzalez and Cade Cowell for Efrain Alvarez and Hugo Camberos. Leon subbed out Ivan Moreno for Sebastian Santos. A left footed shot by Rodriguez from outside the area was easily saved by Rangel. A cross into the area was deflected into the path of Camberos, who sent his close range shot in a bad miss. Rodriguez got into the area and got off a left footed shot that went wide. Chivas subbed out Alan Pulido and Omar Govea for Armando Gonzalez and Diego Campillo. Leon subbed out Angel Estrada and Ettson Ayon for Jose Ramirez and Gael Garcia. After a great run from Alvarez, he got off a shot that was just deflected by Leon’s defense. A cross into the area was headed by Gonzalez but Garcia was able to get to the ball. Chivas subbed out Jose Castillo for Santiago Sandoval. Leon subbed out Fernando Beltran for Valentin Gauthier. A great left footed shot from outside the area from Alvarez would hit the post. The ball eventually fell to Alvarado but his left footed shot went right to Garcia. A cross into the area was lobbed over Garcia and bounced around near the goal line including getting cleared off the line by Echevarria. There was a controversial play when a possible PK foul against Gutierrez wasn’t given. It would be the last chance as the match ended and Leon held on to get a better result than they deserved.
Chivas made their 2025 Apertura debut under new coach Gabriel Milito after their first match of the season was postponed because Estadio Akron was out for renovations. Milito had a Chivas side that looked better and deserved better than a loss against Leon although they still need some work. Leon really should count their blessings as they barely threatened and the goal came from a PK that went against the run of play. Chivas will need to improve on offense, especially at forward where Pulido and Cowell were toothless. On the other hand, Efrain Alvarez showed he deserved more minutes, as his entrance changed the tempo of the match for Chivas. They will have to improve for the next match when the host Atletico San Luis while Leon will have a tough trip to Mexico City, where they will face off against Cruz Azul.
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