Chivas de Guadalajara‘s Resurgence: A Look at Their 2026 Form and Recent History Against América
Chivas de Guadalajara is currently enjoying a remarkable run of form in the Clausura 2026 Liga MX season, leading the league with a perfect record. This success builds upon a turning point achieved in the latter half of 2025,specifically stemming from a pivotal victory against their arch-rivals,Club América. This article examines Chivas’ current standing, their recent performance against América, and their upcoming challenges.
Chivas’ Dominant Start to Clausura 2026
As of February 15, 2026, Chivas stands as the sole leader of the Clausura 2026 tournament. Thay have secured victories in their first five matches, demonstrating a consistent level of performance. This strong start contrasts with a challenging period during the Apertura 2025 season, where the team faced struggles and questions about coach Gabriel Milito’s position.ESPN reports that the team’s current success is directly linked to the momentum gained from their win against América last year.
The Turning Point: Victory over América in 2025
The Clásico Nacional played in September of last year proved to be a watershed moment for both Chivas and Gabriel Milito. Prior to the match, Chivas was near the bottom of the league standings, tied for second-to-last place with only five points. They hadn’t defeated América in regular season play for eight years. Despite being considered underdogs, Chivas secured a 1-2 victory at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes. ESPN highlights this win as the catalyst for their improved form.
Following this victory, Chivas experienced a significant turnaround, ultimately qualifying for the Liguilla as the sixth seed with 29 points. Although they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Cruz Azul (3-2 on aggregate after a 0-0 draw in the first leg), the team’s performance and the emergence of new players like Campillo, Ledezma, González, and Álvarez left a positive impression on fans and laid the foundation for future success. ESPN
Key Players and Tactical Stability
Gabriel milito has built a cohesive team around a core group of players.ESPN Deportes emphasizes the importance of goalkeeper Raúl Rangel, who has maintained nine clean sheets as jornada 9 of the previous tournament. Luis Romo’s transition to a central defender role has also been crucial, allowing him to contribute both defensively and offensively. The wingers, Bryan González and Richard Ledezma, have proven to be effective attacking threats.
Recent Clásico Nacional History
Chivas hadn’t defeated América in Guadalajara in Liga MX as the Quarter-Finals of the Apertura 2020,with Cristian Calderón scoring in the first leg and then a brace in the return leg to eliminate América. ESPN reports that the last time Chivas entered a Clásico Nacional as league leaders was in the Clausura 2015 season.
Upcoming Matches and League Standing
Chivas’ next challenge is an away match against Cruz Azul in Jornada 7, followed by a visit to the defending champions, Toluca, at the Estadio Nemesio Diez. América, currently in tenth place with eight points, will face Puebla at the Cuauhtémoc and then host Tigres. ESPN
Clásico Nacional Lineups (February 14th, 2026)
Chivas: Raúl Rangel; Diego Campillo, José Castillo, Daniel Aguirre, bryan González; Richard Ledezma, Omar Govea, Rubén González; Efraín Álvarez, Roberto Alvarado and Armando González. ESPN
América: Luis Malagón; Sebastián Cáceres, Israel Reyes, Cristian Borja, Kevin Álvarez; Rodrigo Dourado, jonathan Dos Santos, Isaías Violante, Víctor Dávila, Brian Rodríguez and Henry Martín. ESPN
Looking Ahead
Chivas’ strong start to the Clausura 2026 season, coupled with their recent success against América, positions them as a strong contender for the league title. The team’s consistent performance, tactical stability, and key players suggest a promising future for the club. Their upcoming matches against Cruz Azul and Toluca will be crucial tests of their championship aspirations.