Santos Laguna vs. Mazatlán: A Battle at the Bottom
The Estadio Corona is set to host a pivotal clash in the Clausura 2026 Liga MX season as Santos Laguna welcomes Mazatlán. Both teams find themselves near the bottom of the standings, making this match a must-win for either side seeking to climb out of the relegation zone. Santos Laguna had approximately 10 days of preparation at the TSM for this encounter against the Cañoneros.
Match Details
The match is scheduled to kick off at 5:00 PM local time, with Luis Alfredo García Rodríguez officiating. He will be assisted by José Ibrahim Martínez and Óscar Yahir Barriga.
Santos Laguna: Struggling to Find Form
Santos Laguna currently holds a single point in the tournament, earned from a 2-2 draw against Los Bravos de Juárez. However, their defensive record is a major concern, conceding a league-worst 17 goals while scoring only 5. Their recent 5-1 defeat against Tigres UANL highlighted their vulnerabilities, despite briefly taking the lead through a goal from Lucas Di Yorio. You can find more information about the Liga MX standings on the official Liga MX website.
Mazatlán: A New Hope Under Sergio Bueno
Mazatlán, formerly known as Morelia, has endured a difficult start to the season, suffering 5 losses in 5 matches and currently sitting without any points. This poor run led to a managerial change, with Sergio Bueno taking the helm, a familiar face to Santos Laguna fans. The team is hoping Bueno can spark a turnaround.
Historical Context
Historically, Mazatlán has struggled at the TSM, managing only one draw in 6 visits since their franchise relocation from Morelia. Their last encounter at the TSM resulted in a goalless draw in the Apertura 2024 tournament. The teams also played a friendly during the pre-season in December, ending in a 1-1 draw with two 45-minute halves.
Pre-Season Match Recap
During the pre-season match, Santos Laguna fielded a lineup including Carlos Acevedo, Kevin Picón, Haret Ortega, Kevin Balanta, Bruno Amione, Javier Güémez, Aldo López, Cristian Dájome, Kevin Palacios, Fran Villalba, and Alberto Ocejo. Substitutions were made throughout the game, with Javier Abella, Efraín Orona, and Salvador Mariscal replacing Picón, Balanta, and Güémez, respectively. Emmanuel Echeverría and Giovanni Pérez came on for Amione and Ortega, followed by Diego Medina and Tahiel Jiménez for Dájome and Palacios. Late in the game, Lucas di Yorio, Ramiro Sordo, and Sahiel Cedillo entered for Ocejo, Villalba, and López, with Ocejo later returning for Jiménez.
Mazatlán took the lead in the 35th minute through Omar Moreno, but Santos Laguna equalized shortly after with a goal from Emmanuel Echeverría.
What to Expect
This match promises to be a hard-fought battle between two teams desperate for points. Mazatlán, under new management, will be looking to make an immediate impact, while Santos Laguna will aim to address their defensive woes and secure a much-needed victory at home. The outcome could significantly impact both teams’ chances of avoiding relegation.
