Guadalajara, Mexico — Chivas Guadalajara delivered a much-needed statement on Wednesday night, defeating Necaxa 3-1 at Estadio Akron in a high-stakes Liga MX Apertura showdown that reignited home fans’ hope and lifted the club out of its early-season malaise.

From the opening whistle, the sense of urgency was palpable for both sides, each seeking to climb out of the lower reaches of the table. Chivas, reeling from weeks of inconsistent form, found the spark they desperately needed in front of their faithful — and did so with a blend of youth and experience that manager Milito had promised.

The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute, when Armando González pounced on a defensive lapse, slotting home past Necaxa’s goalkeeper and sending the home crowd into raptures. Chivas capitalized on their momentum as Santiago Sandoval doubled the lead just before halftime, expertly finishing a swift move in the 44th minute. The first half ended with Chivas firmly in control and Necaxa struggling to find answers.

Shortly after the break, Chivas extended their advantage further. Cristian Calderón added a third in the 49th minute, finishing a sweeping Chivas move with authority — a goal that seemed to encapsulate the home side’s renewed confidence and attacking verve. The stadium erupted, sensing that a crucial three points were all but secured.

Necaxa, to their credit, fought valiantly to claw their way back into the contest. Their efforts were finally rewarded deep in stoppage time, when Cristian Inda scored a late consolation goal with a left-footed drive from outside the box, assisted by Luis Romo in the 94th minute. However, it was too little, too late for the visitors, whose defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed by a clinical Chivas frontline.

The result is a significant morale boost for Chivas, whose campaign has thus far been marked by frustration and inconsistency. The victory not only provides desperately needed points, but also restores belief among players and supporters alike that this team can yet contend for a playoff spot in the closing stages of the Apertura.

For Necaxa, the defeat compounds their own struggles to find consistency, leaving them with questions to answer as they seek to stabilize in the weeks ahead.

Chivas’ emphatic performance, capped by standout displays from González and Calderón, suggests a turning point may finally be at hand — and with Estadio Akron once again buzzing, hope has returned to Guadalajara.

Match highlights and all goals are available on YouTube recap videos for a full breakdown of the action and player performances.