The highly anticipated Liga MX Apertura campaign for the 2025-26 season has officially begun, with Club Puebla hosting Atlas FC at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc. The opening match has delivered immediate excitement, with both teams finding the back of the net, resulting in a 1-1 stalemate at halftime.
The first half saw Atlas draw first blood in the 24th minute when Gaddi Aguirre scored, assisted by Diego González. However, Puebla quickly responded. Just five minutes later, in the 29th minute, Esteban Lozano leveled the score for the home side, with Edgar Guerra providing the assist. The half also saw a yellow card issued to Puebla’s Juan Fedorco in the 26th minute. At the break, Puebla held a significant edge in possession with 68.8% compared to Atlas’s 31.2%, though shots on goal were tight with Puebla having 2 to Atlas’s 1. (ESPN), (FotMob)
Heading into this season opener, both clubs had distinct narratives. Puebla endured a challenging end to their 2024-25 campaign, finishing a disappointing 17th and going scoreless in their final six outings. Manager Pablo Guede has been tasked with revitalizing the squad, particularly their attacking prowess. There’s cautious optimism surrounding new arrivals Edgar Guerra and Owen Gonzalez, who showed glimpses of their potential by helping Puebla break their scoring drought in a recent friendly against Club América, despite a 2-1 loss. (Goal.com)
Conversely, Atlas wrapped up last season with a bit more momentum, securing a 14th-place finish and avoiding defeat in their final two games. However, Gonzalo Pineda’s side hadn’t played a competitive match since April, which could have impacted their sharpness coming into this fixture. Atlas also faced challenges with key players sidelined due to injury, including Edgar Zaldivar, Mauro Manotas, and Jordy Caicedo, forcing Pineda to adjust his tactical plans. (Goal.com)
Historically, matches between these two teams have been closely contested. In 45 official encounters, Puebla has secured 17 victories, Atlas has won 16, and 12 matches have ended in draws. The last official meeting on February 15, 2025, saw Atlas emerge victorious with a 3-2 scoreline. The head-to-head record suggests a tendency for goals, with an average of 2.2 goals per match. (Scores24)
For fans in the United States, the Liga MX match is available to watch and stream live on DirecTV Stream, TUDN, and ViX (with Sling TV). The kick-off was at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET on Friday, July 11, from Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla, Mexico. (Goal.com)
As the teams head into the locker rooms, the 1-1 score sets the stage for a thrilling second half. Puebla will look to capitalize on their home advantage and possession dominance, while Atlas will aim to exploit any defensive vulnerabilities and leverage their historical edge in recent encounters. The outcome of this opening fixture could set the tone for both teams’ Apertura campaigns.
