Necaxa and Chivas battle to a lackluster scoreless tie

AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO - APRIL 22: Brian Gutierrez of Chivas reacts during the 16th round match between Necaxa and Chivas as part of the Torneo Clausura 2026 Liga MX at Victoria Stadium on April 22, 2026 in Aguascalientes, Mexico. (Photo by Luis Cano/Jam Media/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesChivas and Necaxa faced off in an even and not very memorable 0-0 tie. Both sides gave very poor performances in a match where the result was deserved. Chivas failed to get a victory that would have guaranteed them first place in the Clausura 2026 although they remain in first place in the standings. Chivas will close out their season at home against a Tijuana side that will have a do or die match as they try to get to the Liguilla while Necaxa, who are eliminated, will close out their season by facing off against Cruz Azul in the final regular season match of the Clausura 2026.The first half started with the news that Oscar Whalley was getting the start at goalkeeper, as he prepared for the eventual departure for the post season of Raul Rangel to the Mexican National team. From way outside the area, Efrain Alvarez got off a left footed shot that was easily saved by Necaxa’s goalkeeper, Ezequiel Unsain. A cross into the area was headed just wide by Armando Gonzalez. Off a free kick, the cross into the area was deflected by Agustin Oliveros from close range but Whalley made a good save on it. Gonzalez got off right footed shot in the area that Unsain easily handled. A right footed shot from Alvarez would fall to a pass to a wide open Richard Ledezma but he whiffed on his shot and sent it wide. Off a counter, Javier Ruiz got off a right footed shot from outside the area that went wide. A left footed shot from Alvarez went right to Unsain. The halftime whistle blew as a very poor 1st half came to an end.AdvertisementThe 2nd half started with both teams hoping to improve from their poor 1st half performances. A left footed shot from outside the area by Alvarez would go just wide. Necaxa subbed out Ricardo Monreal for Kevin Rosero. After winning the ball in the area, Brian Gutierrez had a great opportunity but his right footed shot went well wide. After Gonzalez got the ball in the area, he got off a right footed shot that went wide. Chivas subbed out Armando Gonzalez, Richard Ledezma and Brian Gutierrez for Yael Padilla, Roberto Alvarado and Santiago Sandoval. The match started to liven up but still wasn’t close to being a good played match. Chivas subbed out Efrain Alvarez for Hugo Camberos. A volley into the area was volleyed wide by Bryan Alonso Gonzalez. Necaxa subbed out Cristian Calderon for Franco Rossano. Ricardo Marin got off a left footed shot from outside the area that was easily saved by Unsain. Alonso Gonzalez got off a left footed shot that forced a great save from Unsain, who bounced the ball off Rosssero as it went close to going into the net. Another left footed shot from outside the area by Marin would go just wide. Necaxa subbed out Tomas Badaloni for Agustin Almendra. Chivas subbed out Ricardo Marin for Sergio Aguayo. A left footed shot from outside the area from Sandoval would go past Unsain and hit the post. Alvarado would get off a right footed inside the area that went wide. A right footed shot from outside the area by Danny Leyva would force a good save from Whalley. After a harsh foul by Alexis Peña, who kicked Padilla in the head, he would get a red card. After a getting alone in the area, Aguayo got off a right footed shot straight to Unsain. The ball would bounce back to Aguayo, whose cross into the area would reach Camberos but his right footed shot would be deflected from close range wide. No more chances would come and the match would end up with a scoreless draw in a lackluster match.Chivas and Necaxa gave a very poor performance in their scoreless draw. Chivas got another tie that maintains them in first place although they still haven’t clinched their first place spot for the Liguilla. They will have a tougher task as Tijuana’s victory over Pachuca now has them in 9th place, which means that their match against Chivas turns into a “do or die”. Yet Chivas is also benefited from the fact that Pumas, who is currently in second place, will have a tougher match as they face off against Pachuca in an away match. Chivas should be favored to remain in first place although their lackluster match against Necaxa could raise some alarm as they team looked kind of lethargic at times. The match was a huge dropoff from Saturday’s crushing victory over Puebla. Still Chivas’ Clausura 2026 will be one of their best seasons in recent history but they will need to start preparing to face off against a Liguilla where they will have key missing players because of the training camp for the 2026 World Cup. Necaxa will close out their season away to Cruz Azul as they once again miss out on the post season.