Chivas easily crushed Atlante by a 4-2 score to officially qualify to the Liguilla. Chivas was overly superior over a struggling Atlante to get their first solid victory in a while as they officially made it to the post season. Chivas climbed to a tie in first place temporarily although they still will need to know the results for Club America and Cruz Azul to see if they remain there. Chivas will travel to face off next week against Leon while Atlante will host their final home match against Santos Laguna.
The 1st half started with Chivas coming out with the surprise that Roberto Alvarado was alone up top and both Angel Sepulveda and Ricardo Marin were on the bench. A great thru ball found Joaquin Moxica, who got into the area but Chivas' goalkeeper, Raul Rangel, went on to steal the ball off his feet. A longball into the area was allowed to bounce and to reach Santiago Sandoval, who got off a left footed shot past Atlante's goalkeeper, Oscar Jimenez to score and give Chivas the early 1-0 lead. Defender Diogo Bagui misjudged the ball completely and allowed Sandoval to get the ball in the area and it was a terrible mistake. Sandoval got off a right footed shot in the area but the ball was deflected wide by Nico Carrera. Luis Calzadilla got off a shot in the area that forced a good save from Rangel. A thru ball that found Sandoval, he would make a good pass to Efrain Alvarez, who would get off a left footed shot that went wide. A great pass in the area would find Moxico, who from close range got off a shot that Rangel brilliantly saved. A cross into the area was lowered into the path of Alvarado but his left footed shot was saved by Jiimenez. Jhon Julio got the ball in the area but his right footed shot went wide. Daniel Aguirre got the ball in the area and got off a right footed shot that was deflected by Bagui past Jimenez to score and give Chivas the 2-0 lead. It was a nightmare match for Bagui who was now key in both goals. Atlante subbed out Eugenio Pizzuto for Edgar Saul Jimenez. A cross into the area was headed by Sandoval but Jimenez made a good save on the play. The halftime whistle blew and Chivas had a comfortable lead and looked set to get another victory.
The 2nd half started with Atlante subbing out Diogo Bagui for Eduardo Tercero. Off a counter, the ball would reach Saul Jimenez, who got off a right footed shot that was deflected just wide. Alvarado got off a left footed shot that Jimenez easily saved. A cross into the area was headed from close range by Santiago Sandoval past Jimenez and although the goal was called off by offside, replays showed he was clearly onside and the goal stood for a 3-0 lead. Alvarez got off a left footed shot from outside the area that was saved by Jimenez. A ball was bouncing in the area when Ruben Gonzalez headed the ball back but right to Martin Sarrafiore, who one time volleyed it past Rangel to score and place the score at 3-1. Atlante took advantage from the bad mistake by Gonzalez and looked to try to get into the match. Chivas subbed out Luis Romo and Santiago Sandoval for Luis Rey and Ricardo Marin. Efrain Alvarez would get the ball and get into the area and get off a right footed shot past Jimenez to score and give Chivas the 4-1 lead. Atlante subbed out Matias Fernandez and Martin Sarrafiore for Luis Puente and Maximiliano Garcia. Chivas subbed out Omar Govea and Efrain Alvarez for Kevin Castañeda and Brian Gutierrez. A great chance was wasted when Julio got the ball in the area but seemed to have been dropped by Chivas' defense although no foul was given. Replays showed that Castañeda had indeed kicked Julio and after going to VAR, a Penalty Kick was given. Jhojan Julio stepped up to take the PK and he would get off a right footed shot past Rangel to convert and place the score at 4-2. Chivas subbed out Richard Ledezma for Jordan Carrillo. Atlante subbed out Walter Portales for Daniel Gonzalez. Off a counter, Chivas had a great chance but Bryan Alonso Gonzalez got off a left footed shot that went well wide. It was the last play of the game as Chivas took the solid victory that officially had them in the Liguilla.
After a couple of struggling performances for Chivas, they went back to their solid winning ways by dominated an Atlante team that was already eliminated, in route to a 4-2 victory. Although not a great match, Chivas scored early and did well in their few chances an although Atlante fought back, it was mostly on individual and spare opportunities. Chivas is now officially in the post season and will have to prepare to improve because even if it was a solid win, they are still far from the level of play they had shown earlier in the season. Chivas will close out with two tough match and next week they will travel to face off against a tough Leon. Atlante will host their final match of the Apetura 2026 game by hosting improving Santos Laguna.
