Necaxa Thrash Atlético San Luis In Liga MX Showdown

Under the floodlights of Estadio Victoria, Necaxa delivered a resounding statement on Friday night, overpowering Atlético San Luis 4-1 in a pivotal Liga MX Clausura 2026 clash. The fifth-round encounter saw both sides desperate for points, but it was the home team from Aguascalientes, managed by Martín Varini, who seized the moment and delighted their fans with a commanding performance.

With the pressure mounting early in the season—only eight teams will reach the postseason—Necaxa came out with a sense of urgency that was palpable from the opening whistle. The 23,898-seat stadium buzzed with anticipation as both teams took to the pitch, each aiming to shake off a rocky start to their campaigns and avoid slipping further down the league table.

Kickoff arrived at 7:00 PM local time, and the action wasted no time in heating up. Within just four minutes, Necaxa’s Julián Carranza opened the scoring, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Carranza, who would later receive a yellow card for a tough challenge, capitalized on a defensive lapse, finishing with his right foot from inside the box. According to the official match report, "Julián Carranza (Necaxa) remate con la derecha desde el lado derecho del interior del área." That early strike set the tone for a match that would swing decisively in Necaxa’s favor.

Atlético San Luis, under the guidance of coach Guillermo Abascal, struggled to find their rhythm despite flashes of quality from playmaker Sébastien Salles-Lamonge and captain João Pedro. The visitors’ attempts to claw back into the contest were repeatedly thwarted by disciplined defending and sharp goalkeeping from Necaxa’s back line, marshaled by Unsain and anchored by Martínez, Peña, Oliveros, and Rossano.

The first half saw its share of physicality and tactical fouls, with both sides eager to assert dominance in midfield. Lorenzo Faravelli of Necaxa and Salles-Lamonge of San Luis were locked in a fascinating individual battle, each orchestrating their team’s play from the center of the park. As halftime arrived, Necaxa held a slender 1-0 lead, but the sense around the ground was that more drama was in store.

The second half exploded into life as Necaxa pressed their advantage. Coach Varini made a series of shrewd substitutions, bringing on Tomás Badaloni, who would soon make his mark. In the 59th minute, Badaloni rose highest in the box and powered home a header, doubling Necaxa’s lead and sending a clear message: the Rayos were not content to sit back and defend.

Just seven minutes later, Necaxa struck again. This time, it was defender Alexis Peña who found the net, also with a header from a set piece. The move highlighted Necaxa’s efficiency from dead-ball situations and further dampened the visitors’ spirits. The match report reads, "Alexis Peña (Necaxa) remate de cabeza desde el centro del área tras un saque de esquina."

Atlético San Luis tried to respond with a flurry of substitutions—Santiago Muñóz, Fidel Barajas, and Leonardo Flores all entered the fray in search of a spark. But Necaxa’s momentum was simply too much. In the 73rd minute, Ricardo Monreal put the result beyond doubt with a close-range finish, making it 4-0. The stadium erupted, and the home supporters could hardly believe the clinical display unfolding before them.

Despite the lopsided scoreline, San Luis kept battling. Their efforts were finally rewarded in stoppage time when João Pedro, wearing the captain’s armband amidst swirling transfer rumors, converted a penalty to salvage a measure of pride for the visitors. The goal, coming at 90'+1 minute, was little more than consolation on a night dominated by Necaxa. The official note: "João Pedro (Atlético San Luis) convirtió el penalti remate con la derecha."

The match was not without its contentious moments. Referee Iván López Sánchez handed out yellow cards to Robson Bambu (Atlético San Luis) and Julián Carranza (Necaxa), while a handful of players from both sides were involved in robust challenges and tactical fouls. Injuries briefly halted play, notably when Andrés Sánchez of San Luis and Julián Carranza of Necaxa needed treatment, but both teams managed to avoid major setbacks.

Necaxa’s tactical approach was spot-on throughout. Varini’s decision to rotate his front line and trust in the likes of Faravelli and Almendra to control midfield paid dividends. The Rayos’ ability to press high, force turnovers, and capitalize on set pieces was a recurring theme. Their defensive organization, especially in the first half, kept San Luis’s attacking trio—Salles-Lamonge, Bouquet, and García—largely at bay.

For San Luis, the defeat stings, especially given the high stakes this early in the Clausura. The visitors had their moments, with Eduardo Águila and Salles-Lamonge threatening from set plays, but lacked the clinical edge in front of goal. João Pedro’s late penalty aside, clear chances were at a premium, and Necaxa’s Unsain was rarely troubled.

Broadcast coverage of the match was extensive, with fans in Mexico able to tune in via Claro Sports, VIX Premium, and Azteca 7, while viewers in the United States caught the action on TUDN. For those following across Latin America, the match was a headline event on a packed Liga MX Friday night.

The victory gives Necaxa a vital boost in the league standings and injects fresh optimism into their campaign. Upcoming fixtures against Juárez, Toluca, León, Pachuca, and Pumas will test their newfound momentum, but on this evidence, the Rayos look ready to challenge for a postseason berth. Atlético San Luis, meanwhile, must regroup quickly with matches against Querétaro, Atlas, Puebla, Mazatlán, and Cruz Azul looming on the horizon.

As the dust settles on a memorable night in Aguascalientes, Necaxa fans can savor a performance full of attacking flair, defensive grit, and renewed hope. With their team hitting stride at a crucial juncture in the Clausura, all eyes will be on whether the Rayos can build on this emphatic win and make a serious push for the playoffs.