LIGA MX
Chivas edge ahead of Pumas after first leg of the Liga MX quarterfinals
At the Akron Stadium, the team from Guadalajara notched the only goal of the game as they eye a semifinal spot.
In a thrilling encounter on Thursday night, Chivas de Guadalajara claimed a vital 1-0 victory against Pumas in the first leg of the 2023 Apertura tournament quarterfinals. The match was intense, with Chivas dominating much of the play and securing a slender lead, setting the stage for an intriguing second leg.
First leg success for Chivas
The breakthrough moment came in the 42nd minute when Fernando Beltrán delivered a stunning goal, showcasing both beauty and efficacy. Beltrán’s powerful left-footed shot found the net, leaving Pumas’ goalkeeper, Julio González, helpless. The celebration that followed reflected the significance of the goal, as Chivas seized the advantage they desperately needed in the series.
Throughout the first half, Chivas persistently pressed for goals, demonstrating a clear commitment to securing an overall victory in the series. Despite several close calls, including a shot hitting the crossbar, Chivas went into halftime with just the single goal lead, greeted by applause from their supporters.
The second half saw Pumas striving to overturn the deficit, but Chivas maintained defensive resilience. Notably, goalkeeper Miguel Jiménez made key saves to preserve the’ lead. Pumas, on the other hand, struggled to find a breakthrough, with their attacks lacking the required clarity.
As the match approached its conclusion, Chivas had opportunities to extend their lead, but Julio González’s determined goalkeeping kept Pumas in contention. The final whistle signaled a minimal yet crucial advantage for Chivas, who now look ahead to the decisive second leg at Ciudad Universitaria.
When is Chivas - Pumas second leg?
The upcoming clash, scheduled for Sunday 3 December at 7 p.m. ET, holds the key to determining the team advancing to the semifinals. Pumas know what they need to do, win, while Chivas can maintain their dreams of a 13th title by not losing. The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown as both teams vie for a coveted spot in the next phase of the tournament.
- 23 Miguel Jiménez
- 2 Alan Mozo
- 26 Cristian Calderón
- 4 Briseño
- 13 Jesús Gilberto Orozco Chiquete
- 15 Erick Gutiérrez (83')
- 20 Fernando Beltrán
- 28 Fernando Gonzalez
- 11 Isaac Brizuela (60')
- 25 Roberto Alvarado
- 19 Ricardo Marin (82')
- Substitutes
- 21 Hiram Mier
- 30 Whalley
- 18 Ronaldo Cisneros (82')
- 5 Víctor Guzmán
- 29 Alan Eduardo Torres
- 33 Raúl Martínez
- 10 Ernesto Vega (60')
- 31 Yael Padilla (83')
- 19 Alejandro Mayorga
- 17 Jesús Sánchez
- 1 Julio González
- 16 Adrián Aldrete
- 4 Lisandro Magallán
- 6 Nathan
- 189 Jesús Rivas
- 20 Santiago Trigos (83')
- 12 César Huerta
- 15 Ulises Rivas (70')
- 21 Gustavo del Prete (62')
- 10 Salvio (83')
- 19 Gabriel Fernandez (83')
- Substitutes
- 25 Arturo Ortiz
- 2 Pablo Bennevendo
- 7 Rodrigo López (62')
- 13 Pablo Monroy
- 11 Carlos Gutiérrez (83')
- 22 Robert Ergas (70')
- 33 Gil Alcalá
- 9 Juan Ignacio Dinenno (83')
- 5 Jesús Molina (83')
- 3 José Galindo
Substitutions
Alexis Vega (60', Isaác Brizuela), Rodrigo López (62', Gustavo del Prete), Robert Ergas (70', Ulíses Rivas), Ronaldo Cisneros (82', Ricardo Marín), Yael Padilla (83', Érick Gutiérrez), Jesús Molina (83', Santiago Trigos), Carlos Gutiérrez (83', Eduardo Salvio), Juan Dinenno (83', Gabriel Fernández)
Goals
1-0, 42': Fernando Beltrán
Cards
Referee: Fernando Hernández Gómez
VAR Referee: Jorge Antonio Pérez Durán, Iván Antonio López Sánchez
Jesús Gilberto Orozco Chiquete (46',Yellow) Lisandro Magallán (53',Yellow) Ulises Rivas (67',Yellow) Roberto Alvarado (82',Yellow) Yael Padilla (90',Yellow)