Late goal gives Chivas key victory to continue on top of Liga MX

A very late goal gave Chivas the 1-0 victory over FC Juarez to give Chivas their 2nd win out of two games in the 2026 Clausura, that has them in first place. It was a very even match with few exciting moments but a late goal was able to give Chivas the key three points that has them in first place. Chivas will hope to continue their winning streak on Saturday when they face off at home against Queretaro. FC Juarez will have a tough matchup when they travel to Torreon that same day and face off against Santo.s

The first half started with both teams coming out with their strongest starting 11. Off a counter, a great cross into the area form Armando Gonzalez found a wide open Richard Ledezma but his right footed was awful and it went wide in a bad miss. A left footed shot from Oscar Estupiñan was easily wonderfully saved by Chivas’ goalkeeper, Raul Rangel. A cross into the area was cleared by Rangel almost off the head of Estupiñan. From outside the area, Ricardinho got off a right footed shot that Rangel easily saved. A cross into the area was volleyed wide by Bryan Alonso Gonzalez. A cross to the area was just out of reach of Ricardinho. From just outside the area, Gonzalez had a good chance but his shot went into the stands. Off a counter, Efrain Alvarez got off a left footed shot from outside the area that went wide. Jose Luis Rodriguez would get off a great left footed shot that hit the post and went wide in the best chance in the match so far. After that Gonzalez would be brought down in the area by Moises Mosquera and a Penalty Kick was given in a controversial call. After going to VAR, Gonzalez was determined to be offside and the PK was waved off. Off a counter, Estupiñan got the ball in the area but his left footed shot was saved by Rangel. The halftime whistle blew and the match remained scoreless.

With no change for either team, the 2nd half started. Roberto Alvarado got off a left footed shot that forced a save from Juarez’s goalkeeper, Sebastian Jurado. A great right footed shot from outside the area by Brian Gutierrez was brilliantly saved by Jurado. A cross in the area was headed from close range by Alonso Gonzalez but Jurado made another wonderful save. FC Juarez subbed out Homer Martinez, Oscar Estupiñan and Eder Lopez for Rodolfo Pizarro, Ettson Ayon and Javier Aquino. Chivas subbed out Armando Gonzalez for Angel Sepulveda. Luis Romo got off a right footed shot that went right to Jurado. A cross into the area was headed wide by Ricardinho. FC Juarez subbed out Ricardinho and Madson for Guilherme Castillo and Raymundo Fulgencio. Chivas subbed out Roberto Alvarado, Richard Ledezma and Efrain Alvarez for Miguel Gomez, Santiago Sandoval and Yael Padilla. Chivas subbed out Brian Gutierrez for Ricardo Marin. A cross into the area was headed back where Sepulveda would volley it badly and it would easily fall to Jurado. A cross into the area was headed wide by Sepulveda. Off a clearance, the ball would reach Yael Padilla, who would get off a great left footed shot past Jurado to score and give Chivas the 1-0 lead.

A late goal gave Chivas a great result with a late goal from Padilla. While it wasn’t a great match from either team, Chivas was able to get the three points that has them in first place with 6 points. While FC Juarez had also had a great start after winning their debut against Mazatlan, they weren’t able to replicate their form at home against a Chivas side that defended well but more importantly struck at the right time with the goal by Padilla. The youngster didn’t have a great Apertura 2025 after returning from the 2025 U20 World Cup but this goal should give him a big boost in the eyes’ of Coach Gabriel Milito. Chivas will have a great chance to continue up top when they host Queretaro on Saturday at home. FC Juarez will have a tougher task when they travel to face Santos Laguna in Torreon.