Necaxa Stuns Guadalajara In Dramatic Liga MX Clash
Necaxa Stuns Guadalajara In Dramatic Liga MX Clash...
Necaxa pulled off a shocking 2-1 victory over Liga MX giants Guadalajara (Chivas) in a heated match Wednesday night at Estadio Victoria. The upset is trending in the U.S. due to Guadalajara's large American fanbase and the game's wild finish, including a 90th-minute winner from Necaxa's Edgar MĂ©ndez.
The match drew attention stateside as Chivas, one of Mexico's most popular clubs, counts millions of U.S.-based supporters. Many tuned in via Univision and TUDN, which broadcast the game to American audiences. Social media erupted after MĂ©ndez's late goal, with #NecaxaChivas trending on Twitter in several U.S. cities.
Guadalajara took an early lead through Roberto Alvarado in the 15th minute, but Necaxa equalized before halftime via a penalty from Ricardo Monreal. The decisive moment came in stoppage time when MĂ©ndez capitalized on a defensive error to seal the win. Chivas players protested the goal, claiming offside, but VAR upheld the decision.
The loss deals a blow to Guadalajara's playoff hopes, dropping them to 8th in the Liga MX table. Necaxa, meanwhile, climbs to 5th place with the victory. Liga MX matches regularly trend in the U.S., where the league outpaces MLS in TV ratings among Spanish-speaking audiences.
Fans in soccer bars from Los Angeles to Chicago reported packed venues during the match. The rivalry intensity surprised some American viewers, with 12 yellow cards shown. Necaxa's win marks their first over Chivas since 2021, adding significance to the upset.
Post-game, Chivas manager Fernando Gago criticized refereeing decisions, while Necaxa's Eduardo Fentanes praised his team's resilience. The clubs meet again May 7 in Guadalajara, setting up a high-stakes rematch. With Liga MX's playoffs approaching, both teams face mounting pressure in their next matches.
