Necaxa vs. Chivas Ends in Goalless Draw as Guadalajara Maintains Liga MX Lead

Chivas failed to break down Necaxa’s defense in a tense Jornada 16 clash at Estadio Victoria, settling for a 0-0 draw that preserved their position at the top of the Liga MX Clausura 2026 standings. The match, played on Wednesday evening, saw Guadalajara create several chances but ultimately unable to convert, while the home side held firm to secure a valuable point in their push for Liguilla qualification.

Despite entering the match as favorites, Chivas struggled to find the breakthrough against a disciplined Necaxa side. The visitors dominated possession and created multiple scoring opportunities, including a first-half chance where Agustín Marchesín appeared to be beaten only for the ball to strike the post. In the second half, Chivas continued to press, with Alan Mozo forcing a save from Óscar Whalley in the 55th minute and later seeing a shot deflect wide for a corner.

Necaxa, meanwhile, looked to capitalize on counterattacks but were unable to test Marcelo Barovero significantly. The home side’s best chance came late in the match when Alexis Peña was shown a red card for a dangerous challenge, leaving them with ten men for the final minutes. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Necaxa managed to witness out the draw, with their defense holding firm against continued Chivas pressure.

The result leaves Chivas at the summit of the Liga MX table, though their lead remains precarious as other teams continue to close the gap. For Necaxa, the point represents a crucial step in their battle to secure a Liguilla spot, with the team showing resilience despite the late dismissal of Peña.

Key Moments and Controversies

The match was not without controversy, as Chivas claimed two penalty appeals were denied by VAR. Replays showed potential handball incidents in the Necaxa box that were not reviewed by the video assistant referee, leading to frustration among the visiting players and coaching staff. Despite these claims, the match officials did not award penalties, and the game ended without further incident.

The dismissal of Alexis Peña in the 94th minute proved to be a turning point, though it came too late to affect the outcome. The Necaxa defender was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Agustín Marchesín, leaving his side to defend the final minutes with ten players. Despite this, Necaxa’s organized defense prevented Chivas from finding a late winner.

Player Performances

Óscar Whalley made his long-awaited Liga MX debut for Chivas, starting in goal as expected. The young goalkeeper was called into action several times, making key saves to preserve the clean sheet. On the other conclude, Marcelo Barovero was relatively untroubled for much of the match but had to be alert to deal with the occasional Necaxa counterattack.

Richard Ledezma returned from injury to start for Chivas, providing creativity in midfield despite the team’s inability to break down the defense. For Necaxa, Alexis Peña’s early impact was cut short by his dismissal, though he had been involved in several defensive actions prior to the red card.

What’s Next for Both Teams

Chivas will look to build on this result as they continue their pursuit of both the Clausura 2026 title and the top spot in the annual table. Their next fixture will see them face a tough test as they aim to maintain their position at the summit of Liga MX.

Necaxa will seize encouragement from this performance as they continue their fight for a Liguilla spot. The team will look to carry this defensive resilience into their upcoming matches, knowing that every point will be crucial in the final stretch of the regular season.

The Liga MX Clausura 2026 season continues to unfold with intense competition at both ends of the table. As the regular season nears its conclusion, teams are jockeying for position ahead of the Liguilla, with each match carrying significant implications for the final standings.

For the latest updates on Liga MX and all major sports events, continue to follow trusted sports news sources. Share your thoughts on the match in the comments below and join the conversation about what this result means for the title race and Liguilla qualification.