Chivas became the leaders of Liga MX after defeating Pumas by a 3-0 score. Chivas got an early lead and were the superior team against a Pumas side that continues to disappoint in the Apertura 2026. Chivas will now go to the Superclasico, the biggest game in Mexican football, playing well and leaders. Pumas will travel again to Guadalajara, this time to face off against Atlas.
The 1st half started with both teams coming out with their best in front of a full stadium. A cross into the area was brilliantly
headed from close range by Santiago Sandoval and it went past Pumas’ goalkeeper, Keylor Navas, to score and give Chivas the 1-0 lead. It was just three minutes in and Chivas already had the lead against a Pumas side that started off terribly. Pumas looked to have responded immediately when Juninho got off a right footed shot that went into the net but the goal was called off for a handball. Off a free kick, a cross into the area was headed from close range by Nathan but the ball went right to Chivas’ goalkeeper, Raul Rangel. A cross into the area was headed by Ricardo Marin and it went just wide. A shot from outside the area from Victor Arteaga would go wide. Off a free kick, Pedro Vite got off a great left footed shot that forced a save from Rangel. From almost the half line, Uriel Antuna lobbed a shot that forced a good save from Rangel. While Pumas had improved, the halftime whistle blew and Chivas had the one goal deserved lead.
The 2nd half started with both teams A cross into the area was volleyed by Angel Sepulveda but it went right to Navas. A combination play ended with Santiago Sandoval getting off a wonderful left footed strike from outside the area that went past Navas to score a great goal that gave Chivas the 2-0 lead. Chivas subbed out Angel Sepulveda, Hugo Camberos and Omar Govea for Richard Ledezma, Bryan Alonso Gonzalez and Efrain Alvarez. Pumas subbed out Uriel Antuna and Pedro Vite for Alan Medina and Adalberto Carrasquilla. A great thru pass from Alvarez would allow Bryan Alonso Gonzalez to get the ball in the area where he got off a left footed shot past Navas to score and give Chivas the 3-0 lead. Chivas subbed out Daniel Aguirre for Luis Rey. Pumas subbed out Victor Arteaga and Juninho for Santiago Trigos and Israel Luna. A cross into the area looked like a possible handball by Pumas’ defender Nathan but after a VAR check, nothing was given. Chivas subbed out Santiago Sandoval for Brian Gutierrez. Alonso Gonzalez got the ball in the area but his left footed shot was well saved by Navas. Pumas subbed out Luciano Herrera for Santiago Lopez. A cross into the area was headed by Luna but it was easily saved by Rangel. The final whistle blew as Chivas had easily dispatched Pumas and now sat in first place in Liga MX.
Chivas continued their recent winning streak by defeating a Pumas side who they own in Guadalajara. Pumas went from 1982 until to 2018 without defeating Chivas and they hadn’t done so since that match in 2018, which means that unless they face off in the Liguilla (not likely), that streak will be officially 8 years. An early goal set the path for Chivas and Pumas, who played on Thursday, looked out of gas in the 2nd half. Still it was a deserved result and Pumas should have better prepared as not to give up such an early goal that placed thing so difficult for the away team. Chivas will now go to the Superclasico against Club America as the first placed team in a match that is already the biggest in Mexican football. Although as an away side, it might not be as easy, it still looks to be a great matchup for fans of Mexican football. Pumas will have to return to Guadalajara to face an Atlas side that had been one of the surprises of the tournament so far but will need to bounce back after losing against Toluca by a 5-1 score (and who had previously lost at home against Queretaro by a 3-1 score).
