Matchday three of the Liga MX Clausura season begins with a shocker as Club Atlético de San Luis upset Chivas de Guadalajara 3-1 at Estadio Alfonso Lastras Thursday night. 

San Luis, who came into this game only with one win in its last 10 games, wins its first game of the Clausura after consecutive defeats. The 3-1 win marks the first time Los Atléticos scored 3 goals since the 2020 Clausura against Leon. 

On the other hand, Chivas are handed their first loss of the season after two straight draws, including last week against Toluca, and fall to 15th in the Liga MX standings. Guadalajara’s positive note was the return of Jose Juan Macias, who had missed two consecutive games after testing positive for COVID-19.

Firing On All Cylinders

San Luis came out on a mission in the first half as within the first two minutes, Los Atléticos hit the bar and had another shot saved by Chivas goalkeeper Raul Gudino. 

It was a foreshadow of what was to come because San Luis took the lead five minutes later. 

San Luis defender Ramiro Gonzalez was left unmarked during a free-kick, and midfielder Pablo Barrera set him up for a simple header.

Chivas, who looked lackluster all night, could not keep up with high flying San Luis as the home side constantly pushed the tempo and pressed the ball. 

Consequently, Chivas and head coach Víctor Manuel Vucetich looked for answers and even substituted within 27 minutes. 

Los Atléticos, however, didn’t get the memo that they weren’t supposed to win this game and immediately doubled their lead a minute after the Chivas substitution. 

Nicolas Ibanez made it 2-0 for San Luis to end the first half after skying over his defender to head a cross past the Chivas goalkeeper.

The second half saw Chivas pick up the pace but was more of the same. 

A blunder from Gudino set up a San Luis Penalty in the 62nd minute, and Ibanez capitalized as he scored his second of the game and made it 3-0. The goal marked Ibanez’s 50th goal for the club in just 101 appearances.

JJ Scores in his return

Chivas would get on the scoresheet courtesy of Jose Juan Macias, who made his Clausura debut after missing two games because of COVID-19.

Macias pounced on the San Luis defender, slipping to give Chivas hope with 20 minutes left in the game.

However, it was too little too late as Chivas fell 3-1 to San Luis. Los rojiblancos finished with 60% of ball possession but allowed 13 shots at goal with 6 on target. 

San Luis, who rise to 7th in Liga MX standings, travel face Leon next, and Chivas look to regroup at home against Juarez.

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