Chivas Stumble Again: Santos Edge Guadalajara 1-0 in Tense Liga MX Apertura Clash

BREAKING NEWS from Torreón, Coahuila: Chivas Rayadas de Guadalajara has suffered a significant blow to their Liga MX Apertura 2025 campaign, falling 1-0 to Santos Laguna in a fiercely contested match at the Territorio Santos Modelo. This result extends Chivas's struggles, particularly following their early elimination from the Leagues Cup, raising questions about the team's direction. For Santos, it marks a crucial home victory, providing a much-needed morale boost after a challenging start to the season.

Santos Secures Crucial Home Victory Against Struggling Chivas

In a match that saw intense battles across the pitch, Santos Laguna secured a vital 1-0 victory over Guadalajara on Sunday, August 10, 2025, as part of Liga MX Apertura 2025 Matchday 4. The lone goal came from a penalty kick converted by Santos's Bruno Bartichoto in the 29th minute. This win is particularly significant for Santos, a team that finished in last place among Mexican clubs in the recent Leagues Cup, highlighting their determination to bounce back in the domestic league. Despite Chivas maintaining higher possession throughout the game, they ultimately failed to convert their dominance into goals.

Early Penalty Drama: Bartichoto Puts Santos Ahead

The game's complexion changed just before the half-hour mark when Santos was awarded a penalty. Following a VAR review, referee Ismael Rosario López "Chayo" confirmed a foul by Chivas's Daniel Aguirre on Ramiro Sordo inside the box. Bruno Bartichoto stepped up confidently and dispatched the spot-kick past Chivas goalkeeper José Raúl "Tala" Rangel, giving the home side the crucial lead. While Chivas, under coach Gabriel Milito, displayed control of the ball for much of the first half, their attacking efforts lacked the incisiveness required to break down Santos's defense. This inability to translate possession into tangible threats plagued Guadalajara throughout the opening 45 minutes.

Milito's Bold Changes Fail to Spark Guadalajara Comeback

Facing a deficit, Chivas coach Gabriel Milito made a daring triple substitution at halftime, bringing in key offensive players Alan Pulido, Hugo Camberos, and Santiago Sandoval, while Efraín Álvarez, José Castillo, and Gilberto "Tiba" Sepúlveda exited the pitch. This aggressive tactical shift aimed to inject more attacking prowess into the team, with a very offensive setup that included players like Roberto "Piojo" Alvarado and Hugo Camberos operating as wing-backs. However, despite the increased offensive firepower, Chivas continued to struggle in generating clear-cut scoring opportunities. The new formation, at times, appeared improvisational, further complicating their efforts to find an equalizer against a resolute Santos defense.

Pulido's Penalty Miss Seals Chivas's Fate in Torrid Match

Chivas's best chance to salvage a point came in the 72nd minute when they were awarded their own penalty. Santiago Sandoval appeared to be fouled inside the box, a decision confirmed by the referee despite some perceived theatricality from the player. Veteran striker Alan Pulido, who entered as a second-half substitute, stepped up to take the crucial spot-kick. However, his attempt was saved by a brilliant stop from Santos goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo, who held his ground and denied Pulido's signature "little hop" penalty. This missed opportunity proved to be a turning point, severely dampening Chivas's spirits. Late in the game, Santos's Jared Ortega received a second yellow card, reducing the home side to ten men, but even with a numerical advantage, Chivas could not find a way past the formidable Santos defense.

What Lies Ahead for Chivas and Santos in Apertura 2025?

The 1-0 defeat marks Chivas's second consecutive loss on the road in the Apertura 2025, adding to the growing concerns following their early exit from the Leagues Cup. The performance highlighted several areas of weakness, including inconsistent individual displays from key players like Roberto Alvarado and Luis Romo, and the team's persistent inability to effectively break down compact defenses. For Gabriel Milito, this result intensifies the pressure to find winning solutions. Meanwhile, Santos Laguna, historically strong at home, will take immense confidence from this hard-fought victory against a traditional Liga MX giant. As the Apertura 2025 season progresses, both teams face significant challenges, with Chivas needing a rapid turnaround to meet expectations and Santos aiming to build on this crucial home triumph.

• FAQ Section
• Q1: What was the final score of the Santos vs. Chivas match on August 10, 2025? A1: Santos Laguna defeated Chivas Rayadas de Guadalajara by a score of 1-0.
• Q2: Who scored the only goal in the match? A2: The only goal was scored by Bruno Bartichoto of Santos Laguna from a penalty kick in the 29th minute.
• Q3: Did Chivas have a chance to score from a penalty kick? A3: Yes, Chivas was awarded a penalty in the second half, but Alan Pulido's shot was saved by Santos goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo.
• Q4: Where was the match played? A4: The match took place at the Territorio Santos Modelo (TSM) stadium in Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico.
• Q5: What are the implications of this result for Chivas? A5: This loss marks Chivas's second consecutive away defeat and raises significant concerns about their performance and ability to meet expectations in the Liga MX Apertura 2025, especially after their Leagues Cup failure.