Necaxa 2–1 Atlante FC – Estadio Victoria, Aguascalientes – Liga MX – 17 July 2026

Necaxa kicked off their 2026–27 Liga MX campaign with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Atlante FC at the Estadio Victoria. The home side dominated the opening exchanges but needed a second-half surge to overcome a resilient Atlante side that had equalised just before the hour mark. The win gave Los Rayos an early boost in the Apertura table, while Atlante left Aguascalientes with encouragement but no points.

Match Overview

The match began at a high tempo, with Necaxa pressing aggressively from the first whistle. The home side controlled possession in the opening quarter, pinning Atlante deep inside their own half. Necaxa’s midfield trio of Diego Gómez, Alan Montes, and Édgar Méndez dictated play, while wingers Jesús Vega and Luis Romo stretched the Atlante backline. Atlante, meanwhile, looked to hit on the counter through the pace of forward Carlos Hurtado, but Necaxa’s central defenders José Hernández and Francisco Martínez were alert to the danger.

Key Moments

• 18’ – Goal Necaxa: A swift combination down the left flank saw Jesús Vega cut inside and curl a perfectly weighted cross to the far post, where Alan Montes rose highest to head past Atlante goalkeeper Miguel Ángel Fraga. 1–0.
• 38’ – Atlante chance: Carlos Hurtado raced onto a long ball from midfield, rounded Necaxa keeper Hugo González, but his angled shot was cleared off the line by full-back Mauricio Islas.
• 55’ – Goal Atlante: A set-piece equaliser. From a corner on the right, defender Luis García met the delivery with a powerful downward header that bounced past González. 1–1.
• 68’ – Goal Necaxa: Moments after a double substitution, Necaxa regained the lead. Substitute striker Ángel Sepúlveda latched onto a through ball from Diego Gómez, held off his marker, and slotted coolly into the bottom corner. 2–1.
• 83’ – Red card: Atlante midfielder Jonathan Sánchez was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on Édgar Méndez, leaving the visitors to play the final ten minutes with ten men.

Tactical Story

Necaxa head coach Andrés Lillini set his team up in a 4-3-3 formation, prioritising width and quick transitions. The full-backs pushed high, often leaving Atlante’s wingers isolated. In contrast, Atlante manager Jorge Bava opted for a compact 4-4-2, aiming to absorb pressure and exploit spaces behind Necaxa’s advanced full-backs. The tactic worked for periods, particularly after the equaliser, but Necaxa’s superior fitness and depth told in the final third.

Necaxa’s ability to switch play quickly from flank to flank stretched Atlante’s midfield, creating gaps that Diego Gómez exploited with incisive passing. After taking the lead, Necaxa dropped into a mid-block, allowing Atlante possession in non-threatening areas while pressing intensely in transition. The second goal came directly from a turnover in midfield, highlighting the effectiveness of that approach.

Standout Players

• Alan Montes (Necaxa): Opened the scoring with a well-timed header and was a rock at the back, winning four aerial duels and making six clearances.
• Diego Gómez (Necaxa): The midfield orchestrator completed 87% of his passes and provided the assist for the winning goal. His ability to dictate tempo was crucial.
• Ángel Sepúlveda (Necaxa): The substitute made an immediate impact, scoring the decisive goal with a calm finish and adding fresh energy to the attack.
• Carlos Hurtado (Atlante): A constant threat on the break, he forced a goal-line clearance and provided the cross that led to Atlante’s equaliser.

Season Impact

The victory lifted Necaxa to third place in the Liga MX Apertura standings after the opening weekend, joining the early pace-setters. The three points were vital for a side that missed the Liguilla last season. For Atlante, the defeat was a narrow one but highlighted defensive frailties that need addressing, especially on set pieces. Coach Bava will take heart from his team’s resilience, but the red card to Sánchez was a costly lapse in discipline. Both teams face tough tests next week, with Necaxa travelling to face Club América and Atlante hosting FC Juárez.