The Rebaño once again showcased the qualities that have defined Gabriel Milito’s project, crushing Xolos 5-2 at Estadio AKRON with a top-to-bottom performance in every aspect of the game. Chivas moved to 10 points in the standings, placing themselves near the top of the table.
Alongside the clinical finishing with which the Rojiblancos put the game away, Guadalajara dominated proceedings from start to finish. A combination of collective effort, high-level combinations, aggression and attacking initiative shaped the emphatic victory.
Camberos and Sandoval constantly active on the wings, Marín mobile and clinical, Alvarado finding spaces to receive and create chances, and a virtually impenetrable back line were the highlights of a Chivas side that showed it is getting closer to its best version. Even with Xolos scoring twice late on—more through sheer determination than sustained play—the Rebaño's victory left Chiva Nation, which packed the AKRON, with plenty to celebrate.
Guadalajara's next challenge will be Pachuca, away at Estadio Hidalgo on Saturday, August 29, at 5 PM.
The Goals
- ‘SandoGOL’! In the 23rd minute, Santiago Sandoval attacked the far post after Romo flicked on a corner kick, putting the ball into an open net and sending the AKRON into celebration.
- Same recipe! In the 30th minute, following another loose-ball sequence inside the box, Ricardo Marín headed home Guadalajara's second.
- ‘4K’ brace! In the 45th minute, after Hugo Camberos was brought down for a penalty, Marín converted from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
- ‘PIOJOOO’! In the 59th minute, Roberto Alvarado got on the scoresheet with a volley inside the box toward the far post, leaving Rodríguez with no chance.
- Campillo joins the party! In the 68th minute, Diego Campillo joined the attack, received the ball inside the box and, after two touches, fired past the goalkeeper to make it five for the Rebaño.
- Xolos pulled one back in the 74th minute through a header from Elias Alves.
- Alves scored another header in the 91st minute to cut the deficit.
Chances
- In the 12th minute, ‘Efra’ and Marín combined before Álvarez got in behind the defense and attempted to finish past the onrushing goalkeeper, but his shot hit the side netting.
- In the 14th minute, Sandoval dribbled past two defenders before unleashing a powerful left-footed effort from outside the box that the goalkeeper could only gather with difficulty.
- In the 40th minute, Marín collected a rebound at the edge of the box and curled a left-footed shot across goal, but it lacked the accuracy to beat the Tijuana goalkeeper.
- In the 65th minute, ‘4K’ went looking for his hat trick with a low, left-footed effort across goal that Rodríguez managed to parry away.
Guadalajara 5-2 Xolos
Guadalajara: Santiago Sandoval 23’, Ricardo Marín 30’, 45’, Roberto Alvarado 59’, Diego Campillo 68’
Xolos: Elias Alves 74’, 91’
Referee: Mario Terrazas Chávez
Venue: Estadio AKRON
Lineups
Guadalajara: 1 Raúl Rangel; 24 Miguel Gómez (YC 48’, Brian Gutiérrez 52’), 3 Diego Campillo, 7 Luis Romo (C) (YC 72’); 30 Santiago Sandoval (Jordan Carrillo 63’), 6 Omar Govea, 28 Rubén González, 14 Hugo Camberos (Kevin Castañeda 63’); 10 Efraín Álvarez (YC 7’, Luis Rey 52’), 25 Roberto Alvarado and 17 Ricardo Marín (Ángel Sepúlveda 71’).
Head Coach: Gabriel Milito
Xolos: 2 Antonio Rodríguez; 3 Rafael Fernández, 12 Jackson Porozo, 33 Pablo Ortiz (Jesús Vega 45’), 15 José Rivero (Yael Padilla 45’); 6 Jesús Gómez, 8 Iván Tona, 10 Gilberto Mora (Ángel Zapata 78’), 17 Ramiro Árciga (YC 45’, Francisco González 56’); 7 Adonis Preciado (YC 48’) and 19 Diego Abreu (Elias Alves 45’).
Head Coach: Sebastián Abreu
