Liga MX Gameweek 1, Apertura
Monterrey 3 - 2 FT Santos Laguna
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/28/2025 | Monterrey | 1 - 0 | Santos Laguna | Liga MX | Estadio BBVA |
| 03/03/2025 | Monterrey | 4 - 2 | Santos Laguna | Liga MX | Estadio BBVA |
| 09/15/2024 | Santos Laguna | 0 - 2 | Monterrey | Liga MX | Estadio Corona |
| 01/22/2024 | Santos Laguna | 0 - 2 | Monterrey | Liga MX | Estadio Corona |
| 11/09/2023 | Monterrey | 3 - 0 | Santos Laguna | Liga MX | Estadio BBVA |
| 05/14/2023 | Monterrey | 2 - 0 | Santos Laguna | Liga MX | Estadio BBVA |
| 05/11/2023 | Santos Laguna | 0 - 0 | Monterrey | Liga MX | Estadio Nuevo Corona |
| 04/17/2023 | Monterrey | 1 - 2 | Santos Laguna | Liga MX | Estadio BBVA |
| 07/04/2022 | Santos Laguna | 4 - 3 | Monterrey | Liga MX | Estadio Nuevo Corona |
| 06/19/2022 | Monterrey | 0 - 1 | Santos Laguna | Friendlies Clubs | PNC Stadium |
09/28/2025
03/03/2025
09/15/2024
01/22/2024
11/09/2023
05/14/2023
05/11/2023
04/17/2023
07/04/2022
06/19/2022
Monterrey Win
Santos Laguna Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Firepower and Heroics in Nuevo León
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 43/100. A breathless barrage of chances saw the hosts condemn a struggling visiting side to another defeat despite a valiant goalkeeping display.
Setting the Tempo
Monterrey wasted absolutely no time establishing total dominance right from the kick-off at Estadio BBVA. They controlled possession with supreme confidence and penned the visitors deep into their own penalty area. The Intensity was blistering from the opening exchanges, leaving Santos Laguna gasping for air. Sergio Canales pulled the strings masterfully in midfield, orchestrating wave after relentless wave of structured attacks. The hosts quickly racked up an impressive 17 total shots, creating a genuine shooting gallery atmosphere inside the stadium. Sitting rock bottom of the league table without a single point to their name, the visitors were immediately forced into sheer survival mode. The defensive lines dropped deeper and deeper as the pressure mounted, with the home side determined to strike early and kill any lingering hopes.
The Goalkeeping Masterclass
This lopsided clash easily should have turned into an absolute blowout, but Carlos Acevedo clearly had other ideas entirely. The visiting goalkeeper delivered an unbelievable individual masterclass, registering 10 massive saves to single-handedly defy the underlying data. The Upset Factor only flickered briefly whenever the visitors managed to break forward out of their shell. Despite facing a terrifying onslaught of 13 shots directly on target, the away side maintained a surprisingly lethal attacking threat on the counter-attack, somehow racking up significant expected goals from incredibly limited opportunities. Every single time the home side threatened to pull away completely and turn it into a rout, sheer heroics between the sticks kept this chaotic contest incredibly tense and hanging beautifully in the Balance until the final whistle.
Holding the Line
The entertaining 3-2 scoreline might flatter the visitors slightly, but it guarantees maximum entertainment value for the neutral viewer. The Stakes were purely about early-season league positioning, and the hosts ruthlessly got the job done when it mattered most. Esteban Andrada yielded twice at the other end, yet his team’s overwhelming attacking volume ultimately secured all three crucial points. This vital victory propels the hosts comfortably into fifth place, firmly cementing their strong early-season league form. For the visitors, the alarm bells are now ringing absolutely deafeningly. Zero points gathered from three difficult matches leaves them hopelessly stranded at the very foot of the table, desperately searching for tactical answers and a rapid reversal of fortunes before their season completely spirals out of control.
Key Questions
What caused the 5-goal thriller?
The home side's relentless 17-shot barrage clashed with highly efficient counter-attacks. A staggering 10 goalkeeper saves prevented a wider margin in a brilliantly chaotic game.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
Monterrey Launch Apertura Campaign Against Santos Laguna
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 22/100. Opening day encounters rarely define a season, making this a fixture for the purists rather than the casual observer.
The Setup
The Apertura gets underway at Estadio BBVA on July 19, 2026, with opening weekend Stakes remaining decidedly modest. Monterrey enters as the overwhelming favorite to secure all three points against a Santos Laguna side hoping to script an early-season upset. With Form practically a clean slate for both squads, the hosts will rely heavily on an intimidating Stars rating to bridge any tactical gaps. The sheer attacking firepower provided by G. Berterame and H. Cuypers, reinforced by N. Deossa pulling strings from deep, paints a daunting picture for the visitors. Santos will look to E. Bullaude for moments of inspiration, but the overall competitive Balance is heavily skewed in favor of the home side.
Key Battle
Our tactical view highlights a classic attack-versus-defense scenario. The home midfield will attempt to pin the visitors deep from the opening whistle, forcing Santos Laguna to rely on isolated counter-attacks. If the away defense cannot absorb this early surge, the contest could slip away quickly.
Our Prediction
Monterrey win, 2-0. Expect a methodical, if slightly rusty, performance from the favorites as they grind out a comfortable victory to start their campaign.