Mixco Secures Crucial Victory Over Xelajú MC in Clausura 2026
Mixco delivered a commanding performance this Saturday at the Estadio Santo Domingo de Guzmán, defeating Xelajú MC 3-1 in Week 19 of the Clausura 2026 tournament. The Chicharroneros, under the guidance of Fabricio “Chapa” Benítez, showcased a solid display, leveraging their home advantage to secure three vital points and remain firmly in contention for the top spots. Nicolás Martínez emerged as the standout player of the match.
A Hard-Fought First Half
The match began with both teams vying for control, but Mixco gradually asserted their dominance. The breakthrough came in the 34th minute when the referee awarded a penalty to the home side. Nicolás Martínez stepped up and expertly converted the spot-kick in the 35th minute, deceiving goalkeeper Rubén Darío Silva and putting Mixco ahead 1-0 before halftime.
Xelajú attempted to respond in the closing stages of the first half, but their efforts proved unsuccessful.
Mixco Extends Their Lead in the Second Half
Roberto Hernández’s Xelajú side emerged with renewed intensity after the break, seeking an equalizer. However, Mixco struck again in the 58th minute. A brilliant assist from Nicolás Martínez found Kennedy Rocha, who calmly finished in a one-on-one situation, extending Mixco’s lead to 2-0.
Xelajú managed to pull one back in the 62nd minute through a well-executed individual effort from Harim Quezada. However, their resurgence was short-lived. Fernando Arce, a recent substitute, sealed the victory with a decisive goal in stoppage time, making it 3-1.
Climbing the Table
This triumph propels Mixco up the Clausura 2026 standings, keeping them in the hunt for the league leadership. Conversely, Xelajú’s lead at the summit has been reduced following this defeat. Mixco demonstrated impressive defensive solidity throughout much of the game, with Kevin Moscoso delivering a strong performance in goal.
Nicolás Martínez continues to be Mixco’s offensive talisman, consistently delivering crucial goals at pivotal moments. The Argentinian forward contributed a goal and an assist in this match, solidifying his position as the tournament’s leading scorer and a key component of Fabricio Benítez’s strategy.
Xelajú, experiencing their first loss in several matches, will need to quickly regroup to avoid losing ground in the league table. Despite remaining a highly competitive team, they found no answers against a superior Mixco side on Saturday.
Stay updated with the latest Guatemalan football news and analysis. For more information on the Clausura 2026 tournament, visit Cero a Cero, a leading sports news source in Guatemala.
Image Credit: Deportivo Mixco (@deportivomixcooficial)
