Santos Laguna celebrated their long-awaited first victory of the Liga MX Clausura 2025 season on February 23, 2025, overcoming Atlas 2-0 at Estadio Corona, Torreón. After 152 days without tasting success, the win marked not only good news for the struggling team but also brought relief to fans longing for improvement.
Both teams entered the match low on confidence and points, with Santos Laguna at the bottom of the league table with seven losses and one draw, having yet to record any victories. Meanwhile, Atlas, only slightly more successful with one win, four draws, and three losses, were positioned just above them. The stakes were high for both squads, making the clash at Estadio Corona all the more intense.
The match began with aggressive play from both sides, but it was Bruno Barticciotto who stole the show. The Chilean forward scored both goals for Santos Laguna, displaying his impressive skill set. His first goal came at the 19-minute mark when he headed the ball powerfully past Atlas goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, giving Santos Laguna the lead and igniting the home crowd's spirits.
Despite Santos Laguna's momentum, Atlas attempted to turn the tide, but their efforts were thwarted, including a pivotal moment when Cristian Dájome had a goal annulled by VAR due to handball the week prior. Atlas had multiple opportunities to equalize but failed to convert their shots, most notable was Víctor Ríos’s blunder, who missed an open chance from within the area.
With momentum shifting back to Santos Laguna, Barticciotto struck again late in the match, scoring from outside the box directly to the top corner, sealing the fate of Atlas. The dynamic of the game saw rapid changes as substitutions were made, including Santos Laguna bringing on players like Salvador Mariscal as they looked to defend their lead.
Despite Santos Laguna finishing the match with ten men after Fran Villalba received a second yellow card following careless play, the team managed to hold onto their 2-0 advantage. This victory lifted Santos Laguna off the bottom of the table and marked a new chapter for their season, reinforcing Barticciotto's role as the hero of the match.
Atlas, on the other hand, continues to struggle as they remain within the relegation zone. Following this defeat, significant pressure will be placed upon their coaches and players to start finding results to avoid being trapped at the bottom of the standings for the remainder of the season.
This match not only reflects the competitive nature of Liga MX but also signals the resilience of Santos Laguna, who now aim to build momentum and turn around their season after such bleak beginnings. Moving forward, players like Barticciotto will need to maintain their form, and as for Atlas, they may need to rethink their strategy before their next outing.