Necaxa stunned León with a 2-1 victory in their Liga MX match on March 14, 2025, at Estadio Victoria, dealing the league leaders their second consecutive defeat. Despite the loss, León remains at the top of the Liga MX standings with 26 points, just two points clear of América.
The match was electric from the start, with Necaxa asserting themselves early on, aiming to bounce back from their recent 5-2 loss to Toluca. León, coached by Eduardo Berizzo, hoped to maintain their dominant form but fell short against the aggressive Rayos, led by coach Nicolás Larcamón.
The first goal came from Necaxa’s Johan Rojas, who unleashed a stunning long-range shot, putting the home team up 1-0 early in the first half. Rojas’s strike left León goalkeeper Oscar Jiménez with no chance as it curled past him, sending the home crowd at Estadio Victoria wild.
Necaxa’s confidence grew as they doubled their lead shortly after through Diber Cambindo, who netted his 11th of the season with precise finishing following a cross from Kevin Rosero. Cambindo’s strong performances, scoring roughly every 92 minutes this season, have made him one of the most dangerous forwards in the league.
Fighting from behind, León faced adversity when they lost Alejandro Andrade to a red card for a foul on Jhonder Cádiz, making it even more difficult to fight back. The numerical disadvantage didn’t stop León from pushing for goals, as they dominated possession and created several chances.
Despite holding onto the ball and pushing offensively, León struggled to find the finishing touches. Rodríguez, the star Colombian signing for León, showcased his skill with several attempts, including one free-kick shot which rattled off the post, adding to the frustration for the team.
The visitors finally broke through when Cádiz scored, aided by Rodríguez’s assist, to make it 2-1. This goal ignited hopes of turning the game around for León and put pressure back on Necaxa as they looked to defend their slim lead.
Even with all their attacking efforts, León couldn’t find the equalizer they desperately sought. The match concluded with ten minutes added for stoppage time, during which León pressed hard for another goal, but Necaxa held strong to secure the victory.
The aftermath saw players reflecting on the match. "We lost our rhythm after the red card, and it was tough to get back on track," said León’s Andrés Guardado post-match. "We need to regroup and focus on our next games to get back to winning ways. Each match is so important now, especially with how close the standings are. We have to keep fighting to maintain our position at the top of the table."
Following the defeat, Leon maintained their lead on the table but against the backdrop of rising pressure from América, who won their match against Atlas shortly afterward. The competition is intensifying as the season progresses, and every team needs points to stay competitive.
Regarding Necaxa's tactical execution, Larcamón noted, "We played like we needed to play: disciplined and aggressive. The team showed great character, especially after going through so much with our previous loss. This win gives us momentum as we aim to climb higher on the table.”
With this match, Necaxa capitalized on their home advantage, proving their resilience and capability to challenge the top teams. They now sit sixth on the table with 21 points, as their season develops positively.
The match was part of Round 12 of the Liga MX, with both teams having distinct ambitions. Necaxa wants to climb up the ranks and make their way toward playoff contention, whereas León aims to solidify their position atop the table. The dynamic of the Liga MX continues to evolve as teams adapt to the high stakes.
Looking forward to the rest of the season, the league’s competitiveness stands as one of the key features this year, especially with the mixture of experienced players like Rodríguez and rising stars such as Cambindo setting the pace.
Next up for León is to refocus and prepare for their following match-up, where they will seek to reclaim their momentum and improve their chances of securing the title. Meanwhile, Necaxa hope to capitalize on the confidence gained from this victory to keep their form going strong as they battle through the remainder of the season.
Overall, this matchup not only showcased the talents of significant players but also highlighted the unpredictability and excitement of Liga MX, as both teams continue their quests for success.