Santos Laguna vs Guadalajara: Barticciotto’s Penalty Seals a Crucial Victory in Liga MX Apertura 2025

By DailyAlerts.Online – August 11, 2025

The Liga MX Apertura 2025 is heating up, and Matchday 4 delivered one of its most anticipated clashes as Santos Laguna hosted Club Deportivo Guadalajara, popularly known as Chivas, at the Estadio TSM Corona in Torreón. In a game defined by high tension, dramatic penalties, and heroic goalkeeping, the Guerreros emerged victorious with a 1–0 win, thanks to Bruno Barticciotto’s calm finish from the spot.

This result pushes Santos up to 5th place with 6 points, while Chivas drop to 13th with just 3 points, leaving fans and analysts questioning their early-season form.

The Stage Was Set in Torreón

The atmosphere inside the Estadio TSM Corona was electric. Santos fans packed the stands in high spirits, while a sizeable contingent of Chivas supporters made the trip hoping for a turnaround after recent disappointments.

Both teams came into the match with plenty to prove:

Santos Laguna aimed to bounce back from inconsistent results and climb the standings.
Chivas sought redemption following a disappointing exit from the Leagues Cup and a sluggish start in the domestic league.

From the opening whistle, it was clear that both sides intended to impose their style — Santos leaning on quick counterattacks and solid defensive organization, while Chivas focused on controlled possession and building from the back.

The Decisive Moment: Bruno Barticciotto Steps Up

The breakthrough arrived in the 29th minute after a moment of chaos inside the Chivas penalty area. Santos winger Ramiro Sordo made a darting run into the box, where he was brought down under a clumsy challenge.

Referee Fernando Hernández wasted no time pointing to the spot. Chivas players protested, arguing the contact was minimal, but VAR confirmed the decision.

Up stepped Bruno Barticciotto, the Chilean striker who has quickly become a key figure for the Guerreros. Under immense pressure and with the crowd roaring, Barticciotto sent Chivas goalkeeper Raúl Rangel the wrong way, slotting the ball into the bottom corner to give Santos the lead.

The home fans erupted, sensing this might be the moment that defined the match.

Santos Laguna vs Guadalajara: Barticciotto’s Penalty Seals a Crucial Victory in Liga MX Apertura 2025

Chivas Fight Back But Fail to Deliver

Going behind seemed to ignite Chivas’ urgency. From the 30th minute onwards, they pressed higher, forcing Santos into defensive mode. Wingers Roberto Alvarado and Víctor Guzmán combined well to create space, but the final ball often lacked precision.

Chivas’ best chance came in the 72nd minute. Santos defender Haret Ortega was judged to have handled the ball inside the area, giving Guadalajara a golden opportunity to level the score.

Veteran striker Alan Pulido, usually deadly from the spot, stepped up to take the penalty. But in a stunning twist, Santos captain and goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo guessed right, diving low to his left to palm the shot away. The stadium erupted once again — this time in celebration of their captain’s heroics.

Late Drama: Santos Down to Ten Men

As the game entered stoppage time, tensions boiled over. Chivas pushed everyone forward in a desperate search for an equalizer, while Santos clung to their slim lead.

In the 94th minute, Haret Ortega received a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Chivas midfielder Fernando Beltrán. The decision left Santos with 10 men for the final seconds, but their defense held firm.

When the final whistle blew, the relief on the faces of the Santos players and fans was unmistakable.

Tactical Breakdown

Santos Laguna’s Approach

Defensive Discipline: Santos maintained a compact shape, especially after taking the lead.
Counterattack Threat: Quick transitions through the flanks, particularly via Ramiro Sordo, kept Chivas on their toes.
Set-Piece Awareness: Focused on defending crosses and corners, neutralizing Chivas’ aerial threat.

Guadalajara’s Approach

Possession-Based Play: Chivas dominated possession but lacked penetration in the final third.
High Press: Attempted to win the ball back quickly, but Santos’ backline absorbed the pressure well.
Over-Reliance on Key Players: Much of the attacking responsibility fell on Pulido and Alvarado, making their attack predictable.

Player Spotlights

Bruno Barticciotto (Santos Laguna):
The match-winner showed composure beyond his years, calmly converting the decisive penalty and working tirelessly off the ball.
Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna):
A captain’s performance. His penalty save in the 72nd minute was the defining moment of the match.
Ramiro Sordo (Santos Laguna):
His run into the box won the penalty and constantly troubled Chivas’ defense.
Alan Pulido (Chivas):
Will rue the missed penalty. Otherwise, had a quiet game, struggling to find space against a well-drilled Santos defense.

Post-Match Reactions

Pablo Repetto (Santos Laguna Manager):

“This was a victory of unity and effort. We stayed compact, defended with heart, and took our chances. Acevedo’s save was monumental for us.”

Fernando Gago (Chivas Manager):

“We played well in many phases of the game but lacked the killer instinct. Missing the penalty hurt us, but we must keep working and improve in the final third.”