Santos – Guadalajara: Can Chivas bounce back after another costly defeat?
Acevedo saves Pulido’s penalty as Santos edge Chivas in Torreón
Chivas returned to Liga MX action after their Leagues Cup exit but couldn’t halt their run of poor results, falling 1–0 to Santos Laguna at the Estadio Corona. The home side secured all three points courtesy of a well-taken first-half penalty from Bruno Barticciotto.
True to recent form, Chivas dominated possession and pushed the pace from the start, yet their lack of cutting edge proved costly. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Daniel Aguirre fouled Ramiro Sordo inside the box. VAR confirmed the infringement, and Barticciotto stepped up to slot home a confident penalty, just beyond Raúl Rangel’s reach.
Guadalajara’s best chance to level arrived in the 76th minute after they were awarded a penalty of their own. Alan Pulido, desperate to end a scoring drought dating back to February 22, aimed for the bottom left corner — but Carlos Acevedo guessed right, producing a crucial save. The Santos goalkeeper went on to deliver two more big stops in the dying minutes as Chivas threw everything forward, even with a man advantage in stoppage time.
Acevedo the Difference-Maker
While Barticciotto’s goal decided the scoreline, Acevedo’s second-half heroics preserved the result. The Santos academy product stood tall under heavy pressure, denying Pulido from the spot and frustrating the Chivas attack until the final whistle.
Turning Point
The match tilted when Aguirre’s challenge on Sordo handed Santos their penalty. Up to that point, the visitors had the better chances, but Barticciotto’s composed finish shifted momentum in favor of the home side.
Recurring Problem for Chivas
Guadalajara’s defensive discipline remains a concern — they’ve conceded a penalty in all three Liga MX fixtures so far this season. It’s also the sixth consecutive match across league and cup in which they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet.
Next Up
Santos, now with two wins from their opening games, head to Mexico City to face Cruz Azul on Saturday night. Chivas, after four straight road trips, will finally return to Estadio Akron in two weeks to host FC Juárez.