GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Armando González scored twice in the opening half hour, powering Chivas Guadalajara to a commanding 3-0 victory over Santos Laguna on Saturday in Week 11 of the Clausura 2026 Liga MX season. The win, played before a lively crowd at Akron Stadium, solidifies Chivas’ position as a serious contender in the Mexican top flight.
González opened the scoring in the 12th minute, capitalizing on a rebound after his initial attempt was blocked by Santos goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo. The play began with a well-placed cross from Efrain Alvarez, setting the stage for the young striker to pounce. It was a fortunate bounce, but González was in the right place at the right time, demonstrating the instincts of a seasoned goalscorer.
Just nineteen minutes later, González doubled Chivas’ advantage. Richard Ledezma delivered a low cross from near the sideline, finding González unmarked at the far post for an easy tap-in. The 22-year-old forward now has eight goals in the tournament, putting him within striking distance of the league lead.
The second half saw Chivas maintain control, with manager Gabriel Milito utilizing the opportunity to rotate his squad and give playing time to members of the team who have seen less action this season. Ricardo Marín capped off the dominant performance with a spectacular backheel goal in the second minute of stoppage time, adding a flourish to an already convincing victory.
This result marks Chivas’ eighth win of the tournament, bringing their point total to 24 and temporarily placing them in second place in the Liga MX standings. Akron Stadium continues to be a fortress for El Rebaño Sagrado, with the team maintaining a perfect home record this season. For Santos Laguna, the defeat was their eighth in 11 matches, leaving them at the bottom of the table with just five points. They had briefly broken a two-year winless streak on the road last week with a victory in Tijuana, but Saturday’s performance was a stark reminder of their current struggles.
González nearly completed a hat trick shortly after halftime, but his shot inside the area was narrowly wide of the post. Despite missing the opportunity for a third goal, his performance was undoubtedly the highlight of the match. With this brace, González has now scored against 12 different teams in Liga MX, leaving only five opponents yet to be breached by his goals.
The forward is currently tied with Paulinho and Joao Pedro of San Luis as the league’s leading scorer with 12 goals, but Joao Pedro extended his lead to 10 goals in the tournament with a goal for San Luis against Pachuca. González’s consistent scoring form is a major boost for Chivas as they push for a top playoff seed.
In a separate match on Saturday, Venezuelan international Salomón Rondón scored a late equalizer for Pachuca in a 1-1 draw against San Luis. Joao Pedro had given San Luis the lead in the 43rd minute with his tenth goal of the season, a powerful shot from the heart of the penalty area.
Chivas will now turn their attention to a rescheduled midweek clash against Leon on Wednesday, March 18, at Akron Stadium. This match, originally scheduled for Week 9, presents another opportunity for Milito’s side to build momentum and solidify their position near the top of the Liga MX table. Santos Laguna, meanwhile, will look to rebound next weekend when they host Puebla, desperately seeking to climb out of the league’s basement.
The dominant performance by Chivas on Saturday was a clear demonstration of their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. With González leading the line and a strong supporting cast, El Rebaño Sagrado are quickly becoming one of the most exciting teams to watch in Liga MX. The Clausura 2026 season is shaping up to be a thrilling one, and Chivas are firmly in the mix for a championship run.
Key Takeaways:
- Armando González continues to be a revelation for Chivas, scoring a brace to lead his team to victory.
- Chivas’ perfect home record at Akron Stadium remains intact, making it a difficult venue for opposing teams.
- Santos Laguna’s struggles continue, leaving them at the bottom of the Liga MX standings.
- The win propels Chivas into contention for a top playoff seed.
The next challenge for Chivas is their rescheduled match against Leon on Wednesday. Fans can follow the action live on the Liga MX official website and through various sports broadcasters. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the Clausura 2026 season.
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