Guadalajara - América: Chivas win 1-0 in Clásico Nacional as Armando González seals perfect start
Armando González struck the decisive blow as Chivas edged América 1-0 in the Clásico Nacional on Saturday, February 14, 2026. The only goal arrived before halftime and the victory left Guadalajara unbeaten at the top of the Clausura table after six rounds.
González delivers again; Chivas impose control
The match at Estadio Akron kicked off at 10: 07 PM ET and tilted in favor of the home side when Armando González converted a second‑half set‑piece chance at 41 minutes, heading a near‑post finish after a corner was glanced on at the front of the box. It was González’s fifth goal of the tournament and his second consecutive game scoring in the teams’ headline rivalry.
Chivas fashioned the clearer openings across the 90 minutes, pinning América deeper for long spells and showing the cohesion that has defined their start to the Clausura. The hosts defended with intensity and compactness once they had the lead, forcing América into speculative attempts from distance and isolated breaks that failed to penetrate the penalty area.
Standings and implications
The win extended Guadalajara’s unbeaten streak to six straight victories, leaving them atop the Clausura standings with 18 points and a scoring run that has made them the benchmark for the early season. The result keeps momentum high for the team and raises expectations as they chase one of the club’s best starts in recent memory.
América, by contrast, remained in the lower half of the table after the loss. The side dropped to 10th with eight points, unable to find the attacking rhythm needed to overturn Chivas’s defensive discipline. The absence of a key wide option was notable; the attack looked short on width and penetration, and the team struggled to turn possession into meaningful chances inside the box.
Key moments, player notes and outlook
González’s finish was the defining moment, but several other episodes shaped the match. Chivas goalkeeper and backline maintained a strong presence on crosses and second balls. The visitors had bursts of pressure late in the first half and sporadically after the break, yet lacked a clinical edge in the final third.
For Guadalajara, the balance between experienced creators and energetic forwards has proven effective; González’s scoring form provides a consistent threat that opponents must plan for. América will need tactical adjustments and greater creative fluidity to climb back toward the playoff positions, particularly as the Clausura schedule tightens and rival teams begin to consolidate.
Looking ahead, Chivas will aim to preserve momentum and chase a historic start, while América must regroup quickly to address offensive inefficiencies if they want to reverse a sluggish string of results.
