Sunday evening at Estadio Corona in Torreón brought together two Liga MX teams desperate for a turnaround, as Santos Laguna hosted Mazatlán FC in Jornada 6 of the Clausura 2026. With both sides languishing at the bottom of the table, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Santos, sitting 17th with just a single point, hoped to capitalize on home advantage and finally shake off a string of painful defeats. Mazatlán, meanwhile, arrived as the league’s only team without a point, having suffered five consecutive losses and boasting the most porous defense in the tournament. Something had to give—and it did, in dramatic fashion.
The match, which kicked off at 5:00 pm local time, was broadcast across Mexico on ESPN 2 and streamed via Disney+ Premium, ViX Premium, and YouTube’s Layvtime channel. In the United States, fans tuned in through TUDN USA and Fubo TV. Despite the widespread anticipation, fans in Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Spain had to settle for live results updates, as no official broadcast was available in those regions.
Both teams entered the contest under a cloud. Santos Laguna had just been battered 5-1 by Tigres and 4-0 by Pumas in previous weeks, while Mazatlán’s defense had been under siege all season. The pressure was palpable, with Santos considered a slight favorite thanks to their home turf, but the tension could be felt throughout the 30,000-seat stadium. The home crowd was restless, and the players knew it.
Coach Francisco Rodríguez of Santos Laguna, feeling the heat, made tactical tweaks ahead of the match. He opted for a defensive formation with two central defenders, moved Orona to left back, and set up a double holding midfield. The team was missing Ramiro Sordo, sidelined by a right thigh muscle injury, forcing further adjustments. Abella returned to the starting lineup, but his reception was anything but warm—fans whistled and jeered every time he touched the ball, a stark reminder of the team’s recent struggles.
The opening minutes saw Santos take immediate control, pressing forward and creating the first clear chance at the ninth minute. Kevin Palacios whipped in a cross for Lucas Di Yorio, who lunged but sent his shot over the bar. The early dominance paid off soon after. At the 14th minute, Palacios danced through the Mazatlán box, only to be brought down by Sebastián Santos. The referee didn’t hesitate—penalty for Santos Laguna. Di Yorio stepped up and coolly slotted home at the 17th minute, sending the home fans into a brief frenzy and putting Santos ahead 1-0.
Mazatlán, however, didn’t wilt. Their response was swift, and goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo was called into action to preserve the lead with a spectacular save. Moments later, Kevin Balanta cleared a dangerous rebound, keeping the home side in front. But Mazatlán kept pushing. At the half-hour mark, Abella nearly doubled Santos’ advantage with a well-struck free kick, but Mazatlán’s Ricardo Rodríguez tipped the ball away with a diving save.
The visitors’ persistence finally paid off just before halftime. At the 43rd minute, Mauro Zaleta surged down the left and delivered a low cross that eluded Balanta. Facundo Almada pounced, firing home from close range to level the score at 1-1. The equalizer stunned the crowd and sent both teams into the break with everything to play for. The Santos faithful voiced their frustration, booing their team as they left the pitch, a reaction that only deepened the sense of urgency in the home camp.
After the interval, both teams came out swinging. Mazatlán’s Álvaro Rubio missed a golden opportunity inside the Santos box, and Santos responded immediately with Cristian Dájome rattling the crossbar from distance. The match was wide open, with both sides trading blows and the tension mounting with every minute.
The decisive moment came at the 53rd minute, and it was a nightmare for the home side. Santos defender Haret Ortega tried to dribble out of danger but was dispossessed by Mazatlán’s Teodora. The ball fell kindly to Mauro Zaleta, who finished with a low, angled shot past Acevedo to give Mazatlán a 2-1 lead. The visiting bench erupted, knowing they were on the verge of a historic result—Mazatlán had never won at Estadio Corona before.
Santos Laguna threw everything forward in search of an equalizer. Dájome once again struck the woodwork at the 57th minute, and substitute Bullaude had multiple chances to draw level, but the finishing touch just wasn’t there. Mazatlán’s defense, so often criticized this season, held firm in the dying minutes, repelling wave after wave of Santos attacks. Acevedo, for his part, made several important saves to keep his team’s hopes alive, but it was not enough on this night.
As the final whistle blew, the Estadio Corona crowd unleashed a chorus of boos, venting their frustration at another disappointing result. For Santos Laguna, the loss meant a plunge to the very bottom of the Liga MX table with just one point from six matches. The pressure on coach Francisco Rodríguez intensified, as questions swirled about his future and the team’s direction. The tactical changes and spirited start were undone by defensive lapses and missed opportunities—an all-too-familiar storyline for the Albiverdes this season.
For Mazatlán FC, the victory was a lifeline. Not only did they secure their first win and first two goals of the Clausura 2026, but they also climbed off the foot of the table, passing their misery on to Santos. The triumph was especially sweet for coach Sergio Bueno, who saw his team finally execute under pressure and break their Estadio Corona curse. The result provided a much-needed boost to a squad that had been battered week after week.
Looking ahead, Santos Laguna faces a daunting schedule with matches against León, Querétaro, and Cruz Azul looming. The team’s confidence is at a low ebb, and fans will be watching closely to see if changes are made at the managerial level. Mazatlán, buoyed by their breakthrough win, will aim to build momentum as they prepare to take on Tijuana, Pachuca, and San Luis in the coming weeks.
Sunday’s clash in Torreón was a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in Liga MX. For Mazatlán, it was a night of firsts and long-awaited joy. For Santos Laguna, the search for answers—and points—continues.