Correcaminos UAT 0-0 Chivas: Castañeda Goal Ruled Out, Kickoff 2026

Chivas was already making substitutions at this stage of the game. Coach Milito wanted to assess his options from the bench, so José Castillo, Daniel Aguirre, Bryan González, and Gael Sandoval left the field to make way for Vladimir Moragrega, Jesús Hernández, Jonathan Pérez, and Leonel Calderón.

The final stretch. The match was entering a slower phase, with neither team taking too many risks. Chivas had slightly more possession but had been unable to turn that dominance into clear scoring chances.

The second half kicked off at Marte R. Gómez Stadium! Both teams returned to the field looking to improve on their first-half performance. The start was once again cautious, with both sides prioritizing possession and avoiding mistakes on the break.

The game entered a phase of increased intensity in midfield, with constant battles for possession. However, clear scoring chances were still few and far between, and the home team was beginning to pose a slight threat to the Rebaño's defense.

The match remained evenly matched, with possession shifting back and forth and few forays into the opponent's box. Both teams looked to create space but had yet to create clear-cut chances in the final third of the field, where the final pass lacked precision. Chivas looked slightly more dangerous.

Bryan González of Chivas had already made his presence felt; the first dangerous play came with a shot from the left side, but the ball went wide of the post. Chivas looked better in these opening minutes of the game.

The opening minutes were played at a moderate pace, with neither team managing to establish clear dominance. The ball was mostly in midfield, with las Chivas playing better but failing to score up to that point.

Everything was ready at Marte R. Gómez Stadium. Correcaminos looked to pull off an upset in front of their home crowd, while Chivas tried to dictate the pace of the game. Although it was a friendly match, we expected intensity and great soccer. We were just minutes away from kickoff!

These teams had not faced each other since the now-defunct Copa MX. In their last three matchups, the record was even: one win each and one draw, which added an interesting twist to this friendly match. We would see who came out on top.

Here was the starting 11 Chivas fielded for this match, featuring the debuts of this season's new signings:

Whalley (GK)

D. Aguirre.

D. Campillo.

J. Castillo.

B. González 

R. Ledezma 

R. Gonzalez 

O. Govea 

K. Castañeda 

J. Carrillo.

Á. Sepúlveda

Pre-game preparations were wrapping up. The players returned to the locker rooms to receive final instructions from their coaches before taking the field for the start of the match. A big showdown was coming up that night.

Chivas headed into this match without its Mexican national team players as part of its preparation, looking to build momentum and improve team chemistry. Ángel Sepúlveda was one of the players to watch, tasked with making an impact on offense.

Correcaminos viewed this friendly match as a great opportunity to test themselves against a higher-ranked opponent. It was key to see how Ronaldo Prieto performed; he was one of the players to watch on the home team. We would see whether they won at home.

The players of Correcaminos and Chivas were already warming up on the field of  Marte R. Gomez. They were doing drills with the ball, taking shots on goal, and doing some light physical training to get into the groove. 

Fans started to show up in Ciudad Victoria. There was a big crowd out to see Chivas, a team that usually generates excitement wherever it plays, while local fans enthusiastically cheered on Correcaminos.

One game had already been played. These two teams agreed to play two games; the first one had already been played and ended in a tie—a dead heat, with neither side coming out on top, 1-1. We would see how this game turned out—it was set to begin in a few minutes.

Both teams had already arrived at the stadium. Correcaminos was eager to face one of Mexican soccer's powerhouses, while Chivas arrived with the responsibility of demonstrating its dominance, even though this was just a friendly match.

The Marte R. Gómez Stadium hosted this match. This historic venue in Mexican soccer welcomed two teams that day that found themselves in different situations but shared the same goal: to fine-tune their game ahead of their respective tournaments.

Here were the kickoff times for the game in different countries:

Argentina: 11:00 p.m.

Bolivia: 10:00 p.m.

Brazil: 11:00 p.m.

Chile: 10:00 p.m.

Colombia: 9:00 p.m.

Ecuador: 9:00 p.m.

Mexico: 8:00 p.m.

Paraguay: 11:00 p.m.

Peru: 9:00 p.m.

Uruguay: 11:00 p.m.

USA ET: 10:00 p.m.

Venezuela: 10:00 p.m.

For Chivas, the spotlight was on Ángel Sepúlveda. The Mexican forward was a key figure on the attack, known for his finishing ability and his presence in the box.

His experience and goal-scoring instinct made him a key piece in the offensive scheme. Additionally, his mobility and ability to create space could prove decisive in a match where Chivas would look to dictate the pace from the start.

One of the players to watch at Correcaminos UAT was Ronaldo Prieto. He brought balance to the midfield and attack, with the ability to both win back possession and initiate offensive plays.

His reading of the game allowed him to position himself correctly at key moments, while his technique helped him maintain possession under pressure. In matches like this, his performance would be crucial to sustaining the team's rhythm and competing against a higher-ranked opponent.

The head-to-head history between Correcaminos UAT and Chivas was not very extensive, and dated back mainly to their participation in the now-defunct Copa MX.

In their last three recorded matchups, the results were relatively even:

In 2019, Chivas won 2-0 on the road.

That same year, Correcaminos pulled off a surprise 1-0 victory in Guadalajara.

In 2017, the two teams tied 2-2 in a hard-fought match.

This history showed that, despite the difference in league levels, matches between the two teams tended to be competitive and featured moments of high intensity.

For its part, Chivas headed into this match with the goal of fine-tuning details ahead of the official competition. These types of friendlies were part of their preparation, allowing them to adjust formations, test strategies, and maintain their rhythm of play.

The red-and-white team typically took these matches seriously, looking to dictate the pace from the start. Their style was based on ball possession, high pressure, and constant movement, aiming to wear down the opponent. Additionally, these matches allowed the coaching staff to evaluate different players in real competitive situations.

For Chivas, beyond the result, the key was to solidify their team chemistry and arrive in peak condition for the start of the tournament.

Correcaminos UAT viewed this match as a great opportunity to test itself against a top-tier opponent. Beyond the friendly nature of the game, the Tamaulipas-based team knew that facing a club like Chivas provided an important showcase to demonstrate its competitive growth.

In their recent performances, the orange-clad squad had sought to establish an identity built on defensive discipline and intensity in midfield. The strategy was clear: compete for every ball, close down spaces, and capitalize on any opportunity up front. These types of matches also served to evaluate tactical variations and give playing time to players vying for a spot on the roster.

Motivation was a key factor, as playing at home in front of their fans and against a First Division rival always raised the bar.

The match between Correcaminos UAT and Chivas was played at Marte R. Gómez Stadium, located in Ciudad Victoria, Mexico. This stadium, which opened in 1939, had a capacity of 18,000 spectators.

It was a historic stadium in Mexican soccer, with an atmosphere that was always electric despite the distance between the stands and the field. In matches like this, the home fans tended to make their presence felt, creating an intense atmosphere that could directly influence the course of the game.