In a tense encounter on Thursday night, Venados FC secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Mineros de Zacatecas in the first leg of the Clausura 2025 Liga de Expansión quarter-finals. The match, held at the Estadio Olímpico “Carlos Iturralde Rivero,” saw the home side dominate early and capitalize on defensive errors from their visitors, leaving Mineros with a challenging task ahead in the second leg.
The game started with immediate intensity as Venados looked to assert their dominance. Just eight minutes in, Mineros' Ricardo Peña committed a foul inside the box, prompting referee Mauricio Eleazar López Sánchez to award a penalty. William Guzmán stepped up to take the spot-kick, and despite the shot lacking power, his precise placement found the back of the net, giving Venados an early lead.
As the match progressed, Mineros attempted to regroup and respond to the setback. They pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but the Venados defense, well-organized under coach Rigoberto Esparza, held firm. The first half ended with the score at 1-0, and both teams headed into the locker rooms with plenty to ponder.
In the second half, Mineros intensified their efforts, hoping to turn the tide. However, their hopes were dashed in the 70th minute when a quick counterattack from Venados caught them off guard. After a throw-in near the corner flag, Sleyther Lora skillfully maneuvered past defenders and found himself one-on-one with Mineros goalkeeper Leonardo Durán. Lora made no mistake, firing a powerful shot into the net to extend the lead to 2-0.
Despite trailing by two goals, Mineros refused to back down. They rallied in the closing stages of the match, desperately seeking at least one goal to provide a glimmer of hope for the return leg. However, every attempt was thwarted by a resolute Venados defense that seemed determined to preserve their advantage.
The match concluded with Venados celebrating a significant victory, marking their second win over Mineros this season by the same scoreline. Earlier in the regular season, they had also defeated Mineros 2-0, a result that had ended the latter's unbeaten streak at that time.
With the second leg looming on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 7 PM at the Estadio “Carlos Vega Villalba” in Zacatecas, Mineros face an uphill battle. They must win by at least two goals to level the aggregate score and potentially advance due to their higher placement in the regular-season standings.
Fans of Mineros are left wondering if their team can rebound from this setback. They will need a strong performance in front of their home crowd to keep their championship aspirations alive. Meanwhile, Venados will aim to maintain their momentum and secure a place in the semi-finals, having shown they can effectively challenge one of the league's top teams.
As the teams prepare for the decisive second leg, the pressure mounts, not just on the players but also on the coaching staff. Mario García, head coach of Mineros, faces scrutiny as he devises a strategy to overcome the deficit. Meanwhile, Esparza will be looking to his players to replicate their strong showing from the first leg and seal their spot in the next round.
With the stakes higher than ever, fans can expect an electrifying atmosphere and a fierce contest as both teams vie for a coveted spot in the semi-finals. Will Mineros rise to the occasion, or will Venados continue their impressive run? Only time will tell as the countdown to the second leg begins.
