Chivas Claims Second Place in Liga MX After Defeating Necaxa

The Guadalajara squad secured a vital 2-1 victory against Necaxa during the Apertura 2026 tournament, lifting the team to second place in the Liga MX general standings. Managed by Gabriel Milito, the club broke a four-match winless streak thanks to an own goal by Agustín Oliveros in the 77th minute and crucial defensive stops from goalkeeper Raúl "Tala" Rangel, who preserved the lead until the final whistle.

Despite returning to the win column, the team's recent performances have sparked internal debate due to a noticeable drop in collective functioning. Milito has been forced to constantly shuffle his starting lineup to compensate for a severe wave of injuries that sidelined several key contributors. Former executive Ricardo Peláez addressed these concerns publicly, expressing strong confidence in the squad's championship aspirations despite missing approximately 40 percent of its regular starters.

"I am not pessimistic at all, I am very optimistic. It is second in the table, it is the best defense and it has four players out, which is talking about almost 40% of the team. I am optimistic, Guadalajara is going to be a protagonist," Peláez stated regarding the team's current standing and defensive resilience.

Peláez emphasized that the absence of core players in defensive and midfield positions—such as Castillo and Romo—has heavily impacted the team's tactical balance. As these athletes gradually recover from their medical absences, the former club executive predicts that Guadalajara will display a significantly improved version of itself on the pitch.

For Necaxa, the defeat deepens a severe sporting crisis under the direction of coach Juan Reynoso. The Aguascalientes club remains trapped in the penultimate position of the league table with only nine points collected across 13 matches. Reynoso has struggled to find a winning formula since taking over the bench, accumulating four losses and one draw in his first five fixtures, highlighted by the recent 1-0 setback at the Estadio Akron.

The ongoing Apertura 2026 campaign features a compressed double-week calendar, pushing clubs directly into the final stretch of the regular phase. Guadalajara holds 23 points and boasts a goal differential of plus eight, remaining firmly in the battle for direct qualification into the Liguilla. The team's upcoming schedule demands high-level focus as they prepare to face Monterrey, Atlante, León, and Cruz Azul in their remaining regular-season fixtures.

Meanwhile, Necaxa will look to break its negative streak in an upcoming match against last-place FC Juárez, aiming to secure its first victory under Reynoso and escape the lower depths of the standings before the tournament reaches its decisive conclusion.