Atlas Stuns Monterrey In Thrilling Liga MX Clash

by David Leonhardt
Atlas Stuns Monterrey In Thrilling Liga MX Clash

Atlas FC pulled off a dramatic 2-1 upset against league leaders Monterrey in a Liga MX showdown late Saturday night, sparking celebrations across Guadalajara and surprising soccer fans in the U.S. The match is trending today as American viewers caught the thrilling finish on Univision and TUDN broadcasts.

The underdogs struck first with a 34th-minute goal from Julio Furch, but Monterrey's Rogelio Funes Mori equalized just before halftime. The decisive moment came in the 88th minute when 21-year-old Atlas academy product Jaziel Martínez headed home the winner before a roaring crowd at Estadio Jalisco.

This result shakes up the Liga MX standings during the crucial Clausura 2026 season. Monterrey missed their chance to extend their lead at the top, while Atlas climbs into playoff contention. The match gained particular attention in U.S. markets due to Monterrey's strong following among Mexican-American fans and Atlas's growing reputation for developing young talent.

Social media erupted with reactions to the upset, with #AtlasvsMonterrey trending on Twitter in several U.S. cities with large Latino populations. Univision reported a 22% increase in viewership compared to their typical Liga MX broadcast numbers, suggesting strong engagement from bilingual households.

The victory marks Atlas's first win over Monterrey since 2021 and could prove pivotal as both teams push for postseason positioning. Liga MX continues to grow in popularity stateside, with this match serving as another example of why the league consistently outperforms many European competitions in U.S. television ratings.

Analysts note the timing couldn't be better for Liga MX's visibility, coming just weeks before the league's U.S.-based Campeón de Campeones exhibition at SoFi Stadium in May. For Atlas, the win provides momentum ahead of next week's clash with América, while Monterrey must regroup before facing Tigres in the marquee northern derby.

David Leonhardt

Editor at Thekanary covering trending news and global updates.