AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO — Necaxa delivered a statement performance at Estadio Victoria, dismantling Atlético San Luis 4-1 in a Liga BBVA MX encounter that showcased the hosts' attacking prowess and left the visitors reeling. The result extends Necaxa's impressive recent form while plunging San Luis deeper into crisis, their defensive frailties ruthlessly exposed under the Aguascalientes floodlights.
The tone was set almost immediately. Just four minutes had elapsed when Julián Carranza latched onto Franco Rossano's perfectly weighted through ball following a devastating counter-attack, rifling a right-footed shot past Andrés Sánchez into the bottom left corner. The early strike stunned the visitors and provided Necaxa with the platform to dictate proceedings from the outset.
Atlético San Luis showed brief signs of resistance midway through the second half when Eduardo Águila's header from Sébastien Salles-Lamonge's cross forced Ezequiel Unsain into a sharp 56th-minute save. But any hopes of a comeback were extinguished three minutes later when Tomás Badaloni, introduced as a substitute, rose majestically to meet Rossano's cross and power a header into the bottom right corner. The Argentine forward's impact was immediate and decisive, doubling Necaxa's advantage and breaking San Luis' spirit.
The floodgates opened thereafter. In the 66th minute, Alexis Peña exploited slack marking from a corner, meeting Danny Leyva's delivery with a thumping header that nestled in the bottom left corner. Seven minutes later, Ricardo Monreal applied the coup de grâce, tapping home from point-blank range after more excellent work from the tireless Rossano down the right flank. At 4-0, the match was effectively over as a contest, though João Pedro's stoppage-time penalty—converted low to the left after Raúl Martínez's foul—provided scant consolation for the beleaguered visitors.
The statistics painted a picture of comprehensive dominance. Necaxa enjoyed 54.2% of possession and created the better opportunities throughout, registering 10 shots to San Luis' seven. More tellingly, the hosts converted five of those attempts on target, demonstrating clinical finishing that has been the hallmark of their recent resurgence. The visitors' frustration manifested in 17 fouls compared to Necaxa's 15, and their discipline crumbled late when a red card reduced them to nine men, compounding a miserable evening.
The turning point arrived in that devastating 14-minute spell between the 59th and 73rd minutes. Necaxa's tactical approach—utilizing Rossano's pace and crossing ability from wide positions—proved devastatingly effective. The Argentine winger registered assists for both Badaloni and Monreal, consistently exploiting the space behind San Luis' increasingly ragged defensive line. Manager Eduardo Fentanes' decision to introduce Badaloni for Carranza at the hour mark proved inspired, with the substitute making an immediate impact that transformed a comfortable lead into an emphatic rout.
For Atlético San Luis, this represented a fourth defeat in their last five outings, a worrying slide that leaves them languishing in the lower reaches of the table. Their defensive organization, already suspect in recent weeks, completely disintegrated in the second half. The visitors managed just two shots on target all evening, with Unsain rarely troubled beyond Águila's header. The late red card symbolized their capitulation, a team bereft of answers against opponents operating with confidence and cohesion.
Necaxa, by contrast, have now won four of their last five matches, climbing steadily up the Liga BBVA MX standings. The victory showcased their evolution under Fentanes, with the team displaying both tactical discipline and attacking flair. Leyva's creativity in midfield complemented Rossano's width, while the defensive pairing of Peña and Agustín Oliveros remained largely untroubled. Unsain's solitary save—denying Águila in the 56th minute—was routine, reflecting the control his teammates exerted in front of him.
The atmosphere at Estadio Victoria grew increasingly jubilant as the goals flowed, with the home supporters celebrating each strike with mounting enthusiasm. The final whistle brought a standing ovation for a team that has rediscovered its identity and momentum at precisely the right moment in the season.
This result caps a fine run for Necaxa before their next assignment, while Atlético San Luis must regroup quickly with crucial fixtures looming on the horizon.