In a commanding display at Estadio Victoria, Necaxa secured a 2-0 victory over Querétaro in the opening match of Jornada 13 of the Liga MX Clausura 2025 on March 28, 2025. The win propelled the Rayos to fifth place in the standings with 24 points, while Querétaro remains in the relegation zone at 14th with just 13 points.
The match kicked off at 19:00 hours local time, and it took only 11 minutes for Necaxa to find the back of the net. José Antonio Paradela made a brilliant run down the right flank, delivering a precise cross to José Iván Rodríguez, who headed the ball home from close range, giving the home side an early lead.
From that moment on, Necaxa dominated the match, controlling possession and creating numerous chances. However, they struggled to convert their opportunities into goals. The most notable miss came at the 58th minute when Paradela intercepted a pass and found himself one-on-one with Querétaro's goalkeeper Jorge Hernández, but his shot was saved, keeping the scoreline at 1-0.
Despite the missed chances, the Rayos continued to press forward, displaying a strong offensive presence throughout the game. They finally doubled their lead in the 81st minute when Alexis Peña scored with another header, this time assisted by a corner kick. Peña's effort found the net after deflecting off a defender, sealing a well-deserved victory for the home side.
Eva Longoria, a prominent member of the Rayos' ownership group, was in attendance and celebrated enthusiastically as her team secured the win. Alongside her was actor Rob McElhenney, further adding star power to the event.
Head coach Nicolás Larcamón expressed pride in his team's performance, noting their ability to overcome the absence of their top scorer, Diber Cambindo, who is sidelined due to a fractured skull. "We played with determination and showed our depth as a team," Larcamón remarked post-match.
Querétaro, on the other hand, faced yet another setback, struggling to find their footing in the league. With only one point earned in away matches this season and eight losses overall, the Gallos Blancos are now left with a daunting task to salvage their campaign as the regular season nears its end.
As for the standings, Necaxa's victory not only boosts their confidence but also positions them favorably in the race for a direct playoff spot. They are now just one win away from catching up to América at the top of the table. With a goal difference of +7, they are looking to maintain their momentum in the upcoming matches.
Next up for Necaxa is a challenging away match against Tijuana, while Querétaro will be hoping to bounce back against León at home. The pressure is mounting for both teams as the Liga MX Clausura 2025 continues to unfold.
As the season progresses, fans will be eagerly watching to see if Necaxa can maintain their strong form and if Querétaro can turn their fortunes around. With the playoffs on the horizon, every point is crucial, and the intensity of the competition is set to rise.
