Guadalajara's Chivas and Querétaro battled to a 1-1 draw on February 1, 2025, at the Estadio Akron, marking the fourth consecutive match without victory for the struggling team.
The Chivas, known as the “Rebaño Sagrado,” entered the match seeking redemption following recent setbacks, including their last loss against Club León. They managed to start strong, displaying promising play, particularly from their youthful talents.
Yael Padilla, only 19 years old, showcased his potential by scoring the opening goal at the 31st minute, following a well-executed cross from José Castillo. This moment sparked joy among the home fans who filled the stands, excited to see their team leading the match.
Padilla’s goal was initially met with controversy as it was flagged for handball by the officials, but following VAR review, the decision was overturned, awarding the goal to Chivas and affirming Padilla’s skillful execution.
Despite the positive start, the match quickly turned as Querétaro adjusted their strategy, pushing hard against the Chivas. They began to exploit the home team’s weaknesses, resulting in increasingly physical play and several yellow cards issued to Chivas players, reflecting their growing frustration and urgency.
The turning point occurred at the 64th minute when Aldahir Pérez capitalized on defensive lapses from Chivas to level the score for Querétaro. This equalizer came following a well-constructed play where Adonis Preciado helped set up Pérez's well-placed finish, leaving goalkeeper Raúl Rangel with little chance to respond.
Chivas’ woes intensified when José Castillo received his second yellow card, resulting in a red card, leaving Chivas with ten men on the pitch. The atmosphere shifted dramatically as Chivas, who had been the stronger side initially, struggled to create significant scoring opportunities afterward and found themselves defending furiously against Querétaro’s advances.
Despite some valiant efforts, including attempts from Erick Gutiérrez and Javier Hernández, Chivas couldn’t regain their lead. The match closed with both teams sharing the points, leaving Chivas coach Óscar García with more questions about his squad’s ability to break their winless streak.
Chivas now finds itself with just four points after five matches, struggling to find form as they head back to training. Fans are left wondering how this trend will impact their upcoming matches, including their participation in the CONCACAF Champions League against Cibao FC. The team has desperately been seeking to turn things around before their next Liga MX matchup against Xolos de Tijuana this weekend.
With the season still young, questions linger about Chivas’ capacity to recover and mount a respectable campaign. For Querétaro, the draw offers tepid solace as they look to regroup and strategize their future matches after this hard-fought point.
Overall, the match at Estadio Akron serves as yet another reminder of the intense competition within Liga MX and the unpredictability of football, where one moment can shift the tide between triumph and disappointment.