Guadalajara Edge San Luis In Five-Goal Liga MX Thriller

The Estadio Libertad Financiera in San Luis Potosí was alive with energy on Saturday, January 31, 2026, as Atlético San Luis squared off against Chivas de Guadalajara in a highly anticipated fourth-round clash of the Liga MX Clausura 2026. With kick-off set for 5:00 PM Central Mexico Time, both squads came into the match with plenty to prove—San Luis eager to maintain their steady form near the top of the table, and Guadalajara riding high on an undefeated streak that had them leading the league.

Heading into this matchup, the narrative was clear: Atlético San Luis, under the guidance of manager Guillermo Abascal, had shown grit and cohesion by collecting four points from their first three matches, including a hard-fought 1-1 draw on the road at Tijuana’s Estadio Mictlán. That result left them parked in eighth place, just two points adrift of Monterrey in fifth. On the other side of the pitch, Gabriel Milito’s Chivas de Guadalajara were enjoying their best start in years, boasting three wins from three and sitting atop the standings, level on points with Cruz Azul but ahead on goal difference.

Fans tuning in via ESPN, Disney+ Premium, and VIX Premium were treated to a rollercoaster of a match, with both sides throwing everything forward in search of an early-season statement win. The opening minutes were tense, with both teams probing for weaknesses. The first real blow came in the 31st minute, when Richard Ledezma put Guadalajara ahead, finishing coolly from the right side of the box after an incisive assist from Roberto Alvarado. The visitors’ early lead sent a ripple of concern through the home crowd, but San Luis refused to wilt.

Just five minutes later, a pivotal moment arrived. Luis Romo was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box, gifting Atlético San Luis a penalty. João Pedro, the Potosinos’ talisman, stepped up to the spot and made no mistake, rifling the ball into the top left corner and leveling the score at 1-1. The stadium erupted, and suddenly the momentum shifted in favor of the hosts.

But Chivas weren’t done yet. As first-half stoppage time ticked away, Daniel Aguirre restored Guadalajara’s lead with a deft header, capitalizing on a well-placed corner from Luis Romo. The goal, coming at 45’+3, sent the visitors into the break with a slender 2-1 advantage. There was even more drama moments later, as Miguel García appeared to have equalized for San Luis, only for VAR to rule out the goal for offside after a tense review.

The second half picked up right where the first left off—full throttle. Within four minutes of the restart, João Pedro struck again for San Luis, this time finishing a low cross from Robson Bambu to make it 2-2. The home supporters found their voices once more, sensing that a comeback could be on the cards.

Yet, in a game that seemed destined for more twists, it was Chivas who landed the next punch. Armando González, a constant threat throughout the match, rose highest to meet a pinpoint cross from Bryan González and nodded home what would prove to be the decisive goal in the 49th minute. At 3-2, the visitors had regained the upper hand, but there was still a long way to go.

Both managers turned to their benches in the final third of the match, with a flurry of substitutions aiming to inject fresh legs and tactical nuance. San Luis introduced Santiago Muñóz and Román Torres, while Chivas brought on Miguel Gómez and Ricardo Marín, among others. The closing stages were frantic, with San Luis pressing desperately for an equalizer. João Pedro, already on a brace, came close with a pair of headers, while Eduardo Águila and Benjamín Galindo both saw efforts sail just wide of the Guadalajara goal.

Defensively, Chivas had to dig deep. Rubén González and Omar Govea were both booked in the late going, as the visitors committed bodies to the cause and disrupted San Luis’ rhythm. Goalkeeper Raúl Rangel was called into action repeatedly, commanding his area and marshaling the back line through a tense final stretch.

As stoppage time wound down, the drama reached its peak. In the dying seconds, João Pedro attempted a through ball to Eduardo Águila, who found the back of the net—only for the flag to go up for offside, dashing San Luis’ hopes of a last-gasp equalizer. The final whistle blew shortly after, confirming Guadalajara’s 3-2 victory and extending their perfect start to the Clausura 2026 campaign.

This win keeps Gabriel Milito’s side atop the Liga MX standings with a flawless 12 points from four matches, sending a clear message to the rest of the league. For San Luis, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, but their spirited performance—especially from João Pedro, who notched both goals—offered plenty of positives as they look to climb the table in the weeks ahead.

“We knew it would be a tough match, and I’m proud of the way the team fought back,” said San Luis manager Guillermo Abascal after the match, according to ESPN. “There are things we can improve, but the spirit was there.” Chivas boss Gabriel Milito, meanwhile, praised his squad’s resilience: “It’s always difficult to win away, especially in a stadium like this. The players showed great character.”

Statistically, the match delivered everything fans could have hoped for: five goals, several lead changes, and a host of chances at both ends. The advanced predictive models had given Guadalajara a 46.4% chance of victory, with a 28.2% shot for San Luis and a 25.4% likelihood of a draw. The most likely scoreline, according to the simulations, was a 1-1 draw, but real life had other plans, with both teams surpassing expectations on the attacking front.

With the dust settling on a thrilling encounter, Chivas now look ahead to their next fixture with renewed confidence, while Atlético San Luis will regroup and aim to turn strong performances into points. The Liga MX Clausura 2026 continues to deliver drama and unpredictability—just the way fans like it.