Atlas says goodbye to the tournament with a defeat against Xolos and a season to forget

Atlas closed out the 2025 Apertura season with one of their saddest nights in recent years. Not only did they lose 2-0 to Xolos de Tijuana on the final matchday, but they were also eliminated without even qualifying for the Play-In tournament, capping off a forgettable season that portrays a team without soul, direction, or commitment.

With just 17 points, 35 goals conceded and a coaching change that never turned things around, the red and blacks will not return to action until next January, carrying the label of one of the most resounding failures of the semester.

The pressure was already unbearable before the opening whistle. Minutes earlier, Querétaro had defeated FC Juárez, forcing Atlas to win at all costs and also hoping for other results to go their way: that neither Santos nor Pumas would get any points. But it all remained just that—a theory. Los Zorros (The Foxes) were unable to do their part and ended up delivering a poor, nervous performance, lacking the intensity the situation demanded. Diego Cocca's team arrived without any footballing strategy or competitive spirit.

To make matters worse, the first blow was struck by a familiar face. Alejandro “Pue” Gómez, a product of Atlas' youth academy, scored the opening goal in the 65th minute, beating Camilo Vargas, who, ironically, had been the star of the match. The Colombian goalkeeper had kept the team in the game with at least four miraculous saves before the defense faltered again.

The second goal came eight minutes later, in the 73rd minute, when Unai Bilbao finished unopposed thanks to the tepid and passive marking of Matías Cóccaro and Uros Durdevic, who watched as the Spaniard created space for himself and finished without pressure against an already exhausted Vargas.

On the other side, Tijuana, which had already secured its place in the Play In, reached 24 points, surpassing FC Juárez and now awaits results to find out its final position and the rival it will face.

Atlas, on the other hand, closes out a mediocre tournament, lacking identity and with a squad that never showed the commitment demanded by the red and black jersey. It's a painful elimination, but above all, it exposes a club in dire need of self-reflection.

MF