For anyone who says soccer is boring, this weekend's games involving the Guadalajara metropolitan zone teams provided a sweet antidote.
All hope was seemingly lost for Chivas. Two-nil down, twelve minutes remaining and Zapopan's Estudiantes cruising to their first victory of the season.
Then player-of-the-season Javier "Chicharo" Hernandez turned on the style for Chivas, scoring two goals and setting up one to keep Chivas at the summit of the Mexican league and Estudiantes firmly rooted to the bottom.
The victory showed this Chivas team may have what they've lacked in previous years - spirit and belief. With nine points from three games, it's increasingly looking like they are getting it together after not making the postseason playoffs last year. The red-and-whites face a stern test away at second-placed Queretaro on Friday evening.
Atlas' surprise victory against Santos Laguna in Torreon, Coahuila was the first time a team had won in Santos' new Estadio Corona and the first time Atlas had beaten Santos in ten years. In true Atlas style, they went about it the hard way.
Miguel Zepeda netted the first for Atlas after just ten minutes with a header from a corner. The 33-year-old striker now sits just behind Hernandez in the scoring charts with four goals in three games.
Atlas then witheld Santos' increasing pressure and just after half-time, Dario Botinelli won and converted a penalty.
With Santos attacking becoming more intense by the minute, Atlas' goalkeeper was sent off for apparent timewasting in the 83rd minute. (Atlas boss Carlos Ischia said after: "I don't understand what the sending off was for.")
With all Atlas' substitutions used up, midfielder Edgar Pacheco donned the goalkeeping gloves to weather Santos' attacking storm for the final part of the game.
In the 91st minute Pacheco was at fault as Santos scored to make it 2-1, but the rojinegros hung on for a precious three points.
Check out the latest league table here.
Upcoming fixtures:
Estudiantes vs Jaguares Friday, Feb 5, 8 p.m. - Estadio 3 de Marzo
Queretaro vs Chivas Friday, Feb 5, 8:30 p.m.
Atlas vs America Saturday, Feb 6, 8:45 p.m. - Estadio Jalisco
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