Necaxa, led by Uruguayan coach Martín Varini, came from behind to defeat Atlante 2-1 on Thursday in the opening match of the 2026 Apertura tournament of Mexican soccer.
Atlante, which returned to the First Division after 12 years, took the lead with a goal by Eugenio Pizzuto, but the home team turned the score around with goals by Argentine Julián Carranza and Miguel Pedrosa.
Necaxa rallied and came back in the closing minutes
The first half was a back-and-forth battle between two teams vying for the opponent’s goal, but neither side was able to break through.
Atlante got off to a better start in the second half and took the lead in the 47th minute.
Ecuadorian Jhojan Julio broke down the left flank and sent a pass to Luis Calzadilla, Pizzuto’s assistant, who scored with a left-footed shot to make it 0-1.
Necaxa got its act together and gradually began to dominate the game, though without any clear scoring chances.
Carranza was brought down in the box, and in the 81st minute, he converted the penalty kick to tie the game.
After the tie, the Rayos went on the offensive.
In the 87th minute, goalkeeper Óscar Jiménez thwarted a dangerous attack by Carranza, who, in the 90+3rd minute, sent a cross into the box that led to a right-footed goal by Pedrosa (Filed under: Necaxa stages a comeback and defeats Atlante).
Atlante returned to the First Division after 12 years
NuevaOnda.com
Here’s how Matchday 2 of the 2026 Apertura continues
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On Matchday 2, Necaxa will host the Rayados, and Atlante will host América at Azteca Stadium.
Also on Thursday, Tigres UANL—featuring Uruguayan midfielder Fernando Gorriarán—lost to the Tijuana Xolos, coached by his compatriot Sebastián Abreu.
This Friday, defending champion Cruz Azul will face San Luis, Atlas will face León, and Puebla will face Juárez.
And on Saturday, the matchday will conclude with the following games: Pumas UNAM vs. Pachuca, Monterrey vs. Santos Laguna, Guadalajara vs. Toluca, and Querétaro vs. América (Filed under: Necaxa stages a comeback to defeat Atlante).
With information from EFE
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