Chivas fought hard but were held to a 1-1 draw by Mazatlán after suffering two red cards and a controversial VAR decision. Here's what it means for their play-in hopes.
🏟️ High Drama in El Encanto: Chivas Draw with Mazatlán in Controversial Play-In Clash
In a night filled with drama, tension, and controversy, Chivas Guadalajara managed to walk away with a 1-1 draw against Mazatlán in a crucial Matchday 15 Liga MX fixture. The result, marred by two red cards and a late VAR-awarded penalty, left fans stunned and the Rebaño’s play-in hopes hanging in the balance.
⚡ Early Fireworks and Missed Calls Set the Tone
From the opening whistle, both teams played with urgency. Just five minutes into the match, Mazatlán appealed for a penalty after Luis Rey brought down Luis Amarilla in the box — but the referee, Fernando Hernández, waved it off. No VAR review came, igniting early tension.
Just a minute later, Mazatlán’s Roberto Meraz nearly scored with a header, but Raúl Rangel made a critical save.
🔴 Wilke Scores, Chivas Take Control
Despite the pressure, Chivas struck first in the 15th minute. Roberto Alvarado sent in a perfectly timed cross from the right wing, and Teun Wilke slotted it past Hugo González with a clinical finish. It was Wilke’s second goal in just three starts, reinforcing his case for more playing time.
With the lead, Chivas settled into a rhythm and nearly doubled the score before Lucas Merolla heroically cleared a shot off the line.
🚨 Controversy and Cards: A Game Unraveled
The second half brought chaos. Luis Rey received a second yellow card in the 75th minute, putting Chivas down to ten. Shortly after, VAR awarded Mazatlán a penalty after a foul by Gilberto Sepúlveda on Bryan Colula in the dying moments of the game.
Before the penalty was taken, Chivas goalkeeper Raúl Rangel was sent off for dissent and damaging the penalty spot, leaving the Rebaño with just nine players and no substitutions left.
🧤 'Guti' in Goal: A Moment to Remember
With no backup goalkeeper available, midfielder Erick Gutiérrez donned the gloves and stood between the posts for the critical penalty. Despite his effort, Luis Amarilla calmly converted in the 93rd minute, salvaging a point for the home side.
📊 What This Draw Means for Chivas
Chivas now sit in 12th place with 17 points, barely holding onto a play-in spot as the regular season winds down. Their upcoming match against Puebla at Akron Stadium will be crucial in determining their postseason fate.
Mazatlán, meanwhile, remain level on points with Chivas but edge ahead on goal difference — keeping their own hopes alive for a late Play-In surge.
🗣️ Post-Match Reaction and Refereeing Criticism
Refereeing was a major talking point post-match. Former FIFA referee Felipe Ramos Rizo criticized the decisions on social media, especially the early non-penalty and the controversial red cards. Fans and analysts alike questioned the consistency of Fernando Hernández and the lack of decisive VAR action in key moments.
🌟 Teun Wilke: A Bright Spot in the Chaos
Despite the mayhem, Teun Wilke’s performance was a major positive for Chivas. Filling in for the injured Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, Wilke made the most of his opportunity, offering a glimmer of hope in Guadalajara’s attacking line heading into the final matches.
🔮 What’s Next for Chivas?
Chivas return to the Akron Stadium after nearly a month to host Puebla in another high-stakes matchup. With the play-in race heating up and several teams within striking distance, every point is vital from here on out.
Mazatlán will be watching closely, hoping to leapfrog into a higher seed by season’s end.
🧠 Final Word: Resilience or Regression?
Chivas showed heart, grit, and resilience despite being down to nine players — but costly mistakes and questionable refereeing could derail their playoff dreams. As the Liga MX season nears its climax, Guadalajara’s destiny will depend on their composure, depth, and perhaps a little help from the officials.
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