Chivas edge América 1-0 in heated Clásico as La Hormiga seals perfect start
Chivas tightened its grip on the Clausura title race with a gritty 1-0 victory over América at Estadio Akron on Feb. 15, 2026 (ET). A first-half strike from Armando González proved decisive as Guadalajara combined tactical order and defensive resolve to withstand late pressure from their rivals in the Clásico Nacional.
How the match unfolded
From the opening whistle the tone was physical and compact. Chivas controlled large swaths of possession through organized pressing and compact lines, turning territorial control into chances in the final third. The breakthrough came at 41' when Armando González — nicknamed "La Hormiga" — converted from a set-piece sequence, finishing off a play that began with a corner from the left. Earlier in the half González had a glaring miss, volleying a chance over the bar, but he redeemed himself with the crucial goal before halftime.
América pushed for an equalizer after the break, increasing tempo and attempting to exploit half-spaces between the lines. Chivas' backline, though, remained steady: key interventions and smart positioning denied clear opportunities inside the box. The match grew increasingly tense as América sought openings, prompting Chivas to make defensive substitutions late in the second half to preserve the lead. The hosts dug in and saw out the 1-0 result.
Key performers and tactical takeaways
The victory was built on collective discipline more than individual flash. The goalkeeper was rarely tested but produced two important saves when called upon, providing calm under the crossbar. One of the center-backs emerged as the defensive pillar, neutralizing América's attempts to penetrate centrally through strong aerial presence, timely tackles and excellent reading of the game. His partner on the left remained conservative, prioritizing defensive shape and successfully closing the channel used by América's midfield runners.
Fullbacks played hybrid roles. The right wing-back combined defensive grit with forward thrusts, delivering several attacking progressions around the penalty area. The left wing-back alternated between defensive resilience and midfield link-up, pairing with the creative midfielders to create overloads near the box. In midfield, the deepest midfielder acted as a fulcrum for ball circulation, smoothing the transition from defense to attack and restricting América's time on the ball in dangerous zones.
Offensively, the creative pivot functioned as a reliable distributor and pivoted play toward both flanks, though he rarely ventured into the penalty area. The left-sided forward enjoyed more freedom, drifting inside to thread passes and destabilize the defensive line; it was one of these movements that helped set up the corner sequence leading to González's goal. A midgame substitution forced by injury at 65' saw a defender come on to reinforce the right side, while attacking changes later in the second half had limited impact as América pressed but failed to create high-quality chances.
Standings impact and next steps
The result cements Chivas' perfect start to the Clausura, extending their winning run and leaving them atop the table with a maximum points tally. Momentum is now firmly with the rojiblancos, who have combined defensive solidity with timely finishing in big fixtures. For América, the loss interrupts a run of positive results and leaves the team needing to recalibrate to climb back toward the top positions.
Looking ahead, Chivas will aim to maintain rhythm and discipline as they face a run of challenging opponents, while América must shore up finishing and create clearer pathways through the midfield to avoid similar stalemates. The Clásico once again highlighted the fine margins that decide Mexico's biggest games: a single set-piece moment and collective defensive focus were enough to tip the balance.
