Chivas secured their place in the final of the Copa Pacífica 2024 after defeating arch-rivals Atlas in a tense semifinal showdown held at the Estadio Jalisco on December 27, 2024. The match, which ended scoreless after 90 minutes, saw the teams go to penalty kicks to decide who would advance to the championship round.
The Copa Pacífica is not just any competition; it showcases the four major football representatives of Jalisco and serves as a means to promote peace among the local communities. Given the historical significance, the match attracted large crowds eager to support their teams. Fans were also celebrating the 50th anniversary of Leones Negros, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Throughout the first half, both teams struggled to find their rhythm, leading to 45 minutes devoid of clear scoring opportunities or excitement. Chivas' coach, Óscar García, and Atlas' new manager, Gonzalo Pineda, are still working on instilling their playing philosophies, leading to some disjointed play. The excitement ramped up slightly after halftime, with Atlas making strong attempts to score, most noticeably through Idekel Domínguez, whose close-range shot was thwarted by Chivas' goalkeeper Raúl Rangel.
Rangel's exceptional performances were pivotal throughout the match. His quick reflexes stopped Domínguez again, and he made notable saves, including one from José Lozano's header. Despite Chivas' attempts to ignite the game with Gilberto Sepúlveda's powerful shot hitting the crossbar late in the second half, the teams remained locked at 0-0 when the final whistle blew.
With the match ending goalless, both teams faced the pressure of penalties. Chivas stepped forward first, having experienced mixed fortunes during the shootout. Their forward Javier Hernández scored, and so did Ricardo Marín and Gilberto Sepúlveda. Unfortunately for Chivas, Luis Rey missed his shot, sending the ball high over the crossbar.
Atlas capitalized on this early advantage, taking a lead of 3-2 after three rounds of kicks. Then, Rangel made his mark again, stopping the shot from Atlas captain Aldo Rocha, which proved to be the turning point. The penalty shootout continued with varying intensity until Chivas' José Castillo successfully converted his chance, putting pressure back on Atlas. Carlos Robles, needing to equalize, struck his attempt against the post, sealing Atlas' fate.
"Chivas and Atlas equalized at 0-0, and the Rebaño Sagrado emerged victorious on penalties 5-4," reported Claro Sports, highlighting the drama of the encounter. Fans erupted as Rangel became the hero of the night, boosting Chivas' morale heading directly to the final.
Adding to the atmosphere, the legendary Javier 'Chicharito' Hernández received mixed reactions from the crowd after being subbed on late, reflecting some fan discontent over his previous performances. He did manage to score during the penalty shootout, albeit only after facing the crowd's noise when entering the field.
The stage is now set for the final, where Chivas will meet the Leones Negros de la Universidad de Guadalajara, who decisively defeated Tapatío 3-0 earlier. This matchup is anticipated not just as another step toward glory, but also as a continuation of the rich football tradition shared by local clubs.
Chivas aims to add the Copa Pacífica title to their collection, and with the confidence gained from their latest win, they will be seeking to prove their prowess next Sunday.
