Santos Laguna secured a key victory this weekend by coming from behind to beat FC Juárez 2-1 in the eighth round of the Apertura 2026. The win comes at a key moment for a team that started the matchday in 17th place in Liga MX with just one point from seven games.
The comeback after conceding
The match turned difficult for the hosts when Óscar Estupiñán converted a penalty for FC Juárez in the 54th minute. Santos's response, however, was swift. Ten minutes later, Ezequiel Bullaude leveled the score following a precise assist from Mauricio Cuevas. The Argentine not only scored but was also key in the winning goal, providing the pass for substitute Esteban Lozano to finish in the 78th minute. Manager Renato Paiva had introduced Lozano in the 56th minute, a substitution that proved decisive.
A nervy finish
The victory could have been sealed more comfortably in stoppage time, but Franco Pardo missed a penalty for Santos Laguna in the 90th minute. Despite that, the team managed the final result well. Paiva's side dominated the statistics, with 54% possession, 25 shots, and 12 corners, reflecting their attacking intent throughout. You can review the team's detailed performance on our stats page.
Manager's reaction and context
Portuguese manager Renato Paiva will surely value these three points, which temporarily lift the team away from the bottom of the table. The victory breaks a run of poor results and provides breathing room in a challenging Apertura campaign. The team now has 4 points and improves its goal difference, which stood at -8 before this match.
The schedule doesn't let up, and the next challenge is a major one. Santos Laguna will visit league leaders Toluca on September 21. Check all the details of the upcoming fixture on our fixtures page. The match against Los Diablos Rojos will be a true test to see if this win marks a real turning point in their season.
