Santos Laguna president Aleco Irarragorri celebrated with relief and euphoria after his team's epic 3-2 comeback win away to Toluca. The stoppage-time victory ended a run of public criticism directed at the club's leadership and adds three key points in the fight to climb the Liga MX table.
Pressure had been mounting on Irarragorri, son of majority shareholder Alejandro Irarragorri, following six consecutive defeats and videos showing him singing 'Color Esperanza' during the poor run. The win lifts Santos to 7 points in the Apertura 2026 season, coming from two wins and a draw in nine matches.
A dramatic finish
The match seemed lost for Santos Laguna when Toluca, also known as the Diablos Rojos, held a 2-1 lead beyond the 85th minute. The script flipped in the dying moments. Kevin Palacios equalized in the 86th minute, assisted by Francisco Villalba. Then, in the 95th, Villalba completed the comeback with the winning goal, set up by Mauricio Cuevas. The team's first-half goals came from Ezequiel Bullaude, their top scorer this season with three goals.
This result, which leaves Santos in 17th place in Liga MX, provides breathing room for the management structure led by Irarragorri, who assumed the presidency as part of Orlegi Sports' adjustments due to multi-ownership regulations. The executive's joy was visible from the stadium's box seats where he watched the match.
The team is now on a two-game winning streak and their next fixture is at home against CF Pachuca on September 27. To see the full schedule for the Comarca side, check our fixtures page. The squad will look to build on this positive momentum.
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The celebration of Santos Laguna's winning goal at the Nemesio Diez created tension. The substitutes invaded the pitch to celebrate in front of the visiting fans. Some Toluca supporters reacted by throwing objects at the players. The team, now on a two-game winning run, faces Pachuca on September 27.
Manager Renato Paiva called for calm after the comeback win over Toluca. "It's 3 points, obviously it has a context and a reality, but that doesn't give you 6 or 9 points," said the coach. The club, sitting in 17th place with 7 points, aims to consolidate its process. Paiva invited the fans to fill the stadium for the next match against Pachuca.
