Club Necaxa earned a hard-fought point with a 1-1 draw against Pumas in a rain-soaked Liga MX Apertura 2026 match at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario. The result leaves the Rayos in 11th place in the league standings with 7 points from five games, according to verified data as of August 28.
The original report from www.fmfstateofmind.com notes that a dreadful first half, marred by poor play due to the rain, gave way to a more engaging second period. Necaxa was the slightly better team on the night, creating the clearer chances and taking a lead that they ultimately could not hold. This performance comes amid a patchy recent run of form, with just one win in their last five league outings.
How did the match unfold?
Persistent rain in Mexico City made for a difficult playing surface, leading to a scrappy and error-filled opening 45 minutes. Necaxa broke the deadlock in the second half. Argentine forward Julián Carranza gave the visitors the lead with a close-range header, connecting perfectly with a cross from substitute Mauro Zaleta. The goal put Necaxa in a strong position to secure a valuable away win.
Pumas, who are yet to win a home game this season, fought back late. Their manager made several substitutions, including the introduction of Luciano Herrera. It was Herrera who delivered the equalizer, firing home a left-footed volley from inside the six-yard box after a headed assist from Guillermo Martínez. Necaxa goalkeeper Luis Jiménez was left with no chance on the play.
What tactical changes were made?
Both managers utilized their benches to influence the game. Necaxa's coach, Andrés Lillini, made four substitutions. He withdrew Owen González, Carlos Vargas, Matías Espíndola, and Lorenzo Faravelli, bringing on Emilio Rodríguez, Mauro Zaleta, Juan Torres, and Pedro Pedraza. Zaleta's introduction proved immediately impactful as he provided the assist for the opening goal.
For Pumas, manager Gustavo Lema made five changes. Pedro Vite, Juninho, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Cristian Calderón, and Víctor Arteaga made way for Israel Luna, Luciano Herrera, Alan Medina, Pablo Bennevendo, and Guillermo Martínez. The change that brought on Herrera was the decisive one, directly altering the scoreline.
What is Club Necaxa's current standing?
The draw gives Necaxa a point that keeps them in the lower middle section of the Liga MX table. With 7 points, their record reads 2 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. They have scored 7 goals and conceded 8, resulting in a -1 goal difference. They trail league leaders Club America by 6 points in a season that is still very much in its early stages.
Next up is a crucial fixture for the Rayos. They will host Cruz Azul, who sit in 12th place, on August 29 at the Estadio Victoria. This home game represents a key opportunity to climb the standings and build momentum. Fans can track the team's progress on our stats page and view the full squad details.
The performance against Pumas, especially in challenging conditions, offers positive foundations. The attacking threat, with Carranza as a focal point, is a clear asset. However, the need to protect a lead until the final whistle is a lesson the team must learn ahead of the clash with Cruz Azul and the remainder of the tournament.
