The United States has emphasized the significant gap between the Atlas and top contenders in the 2026 Open tournament, with the Argentine-led black squad suffering a 5-2 defeat at the hands of the Eagles at Jalisco Stadium.
The rojinegros entered the competition with momentum, having won all four of their previous matches without a loss, and were confident in their ability to challenge the dominant eagles, who despite not being at full strength, had secured the top spot and reinforced their position with a convincing performance.
Atlas struggled to find a suitable approach against America, as their strategy of attacking upfront and conceding space in defense ultimately backfired, allowing Miguel Borja and Érick Sánchez to capitalize on the weaknesses and take a commanding 0-2 lead within the first half hour of the match.
A stunning upset unfolded in Guadalajara as a visiting team dominated the match, ultimately securing a decisive victory that left the home team's fans disappointed and frustrated, with the opposing team's superior skills and strategy proving too much to overcome.
The United States has emphasized that the current Aztec football leader is traveling with a strong sense of confidence, having entered the final stage of the competition with a significant advantage. The team is poised to make a strong push for the top prize in the Mexican football championship, demonstrating unwavering determination and a firm commitment to success.
The Zorros' comeback began in the 26th minute of the first half, as Miguel Borja capitalized on a precise but marginal pass from Uruguay's Brian Rodríguez to evade Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.
Midfielder Érick Sánchez seized the opportunity to capitalize on a pivotal moment in the game, responding to a goal scored by Carlos Álvarez on the 28th minute with a decisive strike that showcased Coapa's dominance.
The Coapa squad continued to push forward in the second half, capitalizing on their first-half advantage by launching a swift counterattack. The initiative for this attack came from Álex Zendejas, who directed Brian Rodríguez to score the goal at the 58th minute.
A pivotal moment in the 63rd minute of the banquet in Tapatío territory marked a significant escalation in the score, as Zendejas' goal added to the list of scorers, ultimately sealing a resounding 4-0 provisional lead that sent shockwaves through the visiting team's sector.
At the 73rd minute, a penalty was awarded to the home team after a clear handball by Santiago Bueno was confirmed through VAR review. Luís Esteves then converted the resulting penalty from the 11-meter mark with a powerful shot, potentially alleviating some of the team's disappointment.
In the 78th minute, the home team's momentum was briefly rekindled by a long-range shot from Moroccan midfielder Ryan Mmaee, which marked the Zorros' second goal. However, the excitement was short-lived as the opposing team responded with a swift counterattack, ultimately extinguishing the celebration.
Following the local team's warm celebration, Kevin Álvarez swiftly regained composure by joining the attack and scoring Coapa's fifth goal at the 79th minute, effectively extinguishing any remaining hopes for a miraculous comeback.
The Coapa team solidified their position as a top contender for the 2026 tournament title following a decisive victory on the 13th day of competition, earning 3 crucial points and sending shockwaves through the league that will take weeks to subside.
