Dramatic comeback: Necaxa ruins Atlante's historic Liga MX return with late stoppage-time winner

A late Miguel Pedroza goal, verified by VAR deep into stoppage time, completed the comeback for the Rayos in Aguascalientes, overshadowing a historic opener from the newly promoted Potros de Hierro.

Photo: Imago7

Football romance clashed head-on with the cold reality of the clock. Atlante’s historic return to Mexico's top flight after a painful twelve-year exile in the second division had all the elements of a classic sporting drama. In the match that kicked off the Liga MX Apertura 2026 tournament, the Estadio Victoria hosted a new edition of one of the country's oldest football rivalries. The visiting Potros de Hierro, managed by the veteran Miguel Herrera, came agonizingly close to securing a dream result, but ultimately fell 2-1 to a patient Necaxa side that capitalized on defensive lapses deep into stoppage time.

The first half in Aguascalientes was defined by tactical caution and mistimed passes as both teams struggled to establish dominance. The home side, under the guidance of Martín Varini, attempted to test the opposition from distance with efforts from Ricardo Monreal, Juan Torres, and Lorenzo Faravelli, all of which were comfortably dealt with by the visitors' defense. The most notable event of the opening period came when a red card issued to Atlante's Danny Leyva was overturned following a critical VAR review.

The emotional peak for the traveling fans arrived immediately after the interval. In the 47th minute, Luis Calzadilla played a sharp pass to Eugenio Pizzuto. The midfielder, a former U-17 World Cup runner-up in 2019, unleashed a powerful left-footed strike from outside the box that left the Necaxa goalkeeper with no chance. The goal was not only the first of the tournament but also marked Atlante's first top-flight goal since their relegation in the Clausura 2014 tournament, sparking wild celebrations from Herrera on the touchline.

However, the home side gradually turned the tide by implementing offensive substitutions and increasing their physical pressure. Necaxa's persistence paid off late in the match. In the 78th minute, a controversial incident inside the box involving Leonardo Mejía and Argentine striker Julián Carranza resulted in a penalty kick, prompting furious protests from the Atlante roster. Two minutes later, Carranza clinical converted the penalty, firing a low shot past Óscar Jiménez to level the score at 1-1.

Just as the match appeared destined for a draw, a final defensive breakdown shattered the visitors' hopes. In the 90+3rd minute, following a set-piece delivery, Miguel Pedroza tapped the ball into the back of the net. While the linesman initially raised his flag for offside, a lengthy and intense VAR review finally validated the goal in the 90+7th minute. The three points stayed with the hosts, leaving Atlante with a bitter defeat but the clear realization that they possess the competitive edge needed for the first division.