Atlas Faces Crucial Match in Playoff Race on Friday

GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Atlas FC faces a critical match on Friday night, aiming to secure a spot in the playoffs as they visit Tijuana at Estadio Caliente. This game is crucial for the rojinegros, who need a victory to keep their hopes alive for the postseason.

Historically, Estadio Caliente has been a challenging venue for Atlas. In over a decade of visiting, they have managed only two wins against Tijuana, with their most recent victory occurring in the 2025 Clausura tournament, where they pulled off a stunning 4-3 comeback.

Atlas’s previous trips to Tijuana since their first match in the 2012 Clausura have not been kind, with a record of 16 visits resulting in nine wins for Tijuana, two for Atlas, and five draws. The Xolos have scored 35 goals compared to Atlas’s 17 during these encounters.

For Atlas to qualify for the elimination round, they must not only win against Tijuana but also rely on favorable results from other matches. After their win, they would need Necaxa to either lose or draw their game against Atlético San Luis on Saturday.

The final piece of the puzzle would involve Atlas waiting to see if Santos loses or draws against any opponent on Sunday. Achieving these results would break their two-tournament streak without qualifying for the playoffs.