Querétaro Shocks Atlas with 3-1 Win in Guadalajara
Querétaro defeated Atlas 3-1 at Estadio Jalisco, with Santiago Homenchenko scoring twice. Atlas coach Hernán Crespo blamed two defensive errors, and the home side played with ten men after Manuel Capasso's red card in the 50th minute. The result leaves Atlas on 12 points and Querétaro on 10 in the Apertura 2026 standings.
The match swung on two pivotal moments that Atlas manager Hernán Crespo later described as avoidable accidents. Captain Aldo Rocha conceded a penalty in the 39th minute, which Santiago Homenchenko converted, and defender Manuel Capasso received a straight red card in the 50th minute, forcing the hosts to play nearly the entire second half a man down. Querétaro capitalized ruthlessly on the numerical advantage.
Homenchenko's second goal in the 70th minute brought his season tally to four, making him the club's leading scorer in the Apertura 2026 campaign. Carlo García endured a strange evening, scoring an own goal for Atlas in the 42nd minute before redeeming himself with Querétaro's decisive third strike in the 76th. The result halted Atlas's pursuit of a third consecutive victory while lifting Querétaro to 10 points.
This upset could reshape early-season momentum in the Apertura 2026 standings, particularly for Atlas, who had been positioned in the top three and now face questions about defensive discipline under pressure. For Querétaro, the road win may bolster confidence and credibility as a mid-table contender. Fans and neutral observers could see this result as evidence that Liga MX's competitive balance remains strong, where any team can prevail on a given night regardless of standings.