On February 23, 2025, Club Santos Laguna finally broke their long-standing winless streak with a decisive 2-0 victory over Atlas FC, marking their first victory of the Clausura 2025 season.
The match held at Estadio TSM Corona kicked off with both teams eager for positive results; Santos had been desperate to secure points after struggling earlier this season.
Bruno Barticciotto emerged as the key player for Santos, scoring both goals, starting with his header from José Abella’s corner kick just 20 minutes after the whistle blew. Despite Atlas FC making several attempts to equalize, including promising chances from Hugo Ríos and others, they struggled to find the net.
The first half ended 1-0, with Santos not only holding onto their lead but also demonstrating resilience against Atlas's persistent offensive efforts. Fans were on the edge of their seats, hoping the warriors could maintain their advantage amid various threats from their opponents.
After halftime, Santos Laguna continued their defensive stance, fending off Atlas's attempts to come back. The turning point came when Barticciotto marked his presence once more, this time with a stunning long-range shot at the 82nd minute, sealing the victory for his team.
“Obvio muy feliz, sobre todo por la victoria, el equipo fue competitivo y creo que es un paso adelante, falta muchísimo pero bueno, se ganó, rompimos una racha y esperemos que vengan cosas mejores,” stated Barticciotto after the match, emphasizing how important this victory was for the team's morale and their fight against past struggles.
The environment at Estadio TSM was electric, with fans finally getting to celebrate alongside their team after months of disappointment. Barticciotto reflected on the support of the fans, stating, “Muy lindo, nosotros le debemos a la gente y bueno, para nosotros es muy importante que vayan a vernos a la cancha.” His words underline the connection between the players and their supporters, and how the club recognizes the fans' loyalty.
With this win, Santos Laguna improved their standing, now sitting one spot above Atlas FC, giving them much-needed motivation as they look forward to future matches. The club aims to build on this victory as they aim for consistent performance moving forward. Barticciotto also had encouraging words for fans: “Como dije, que nos alienten, de mi parte y de mis compañeros vamos a intentar dejar todo en los partidos que vienen.”
This victory could be the catalyst Santos Laguna needs to turn their season around and push for higher rankings, marking what fans hope to be the beginning of brighter days following this much-anticipated win.