Atlante FC struck first in the 2026 Apertura tournament through Eugenio Pizzuto, but Necaxa hit back late to leave Matchday 1 level at 1-1.
It was a match that stayed tight for long stretches, with the first half ending 0-0 before Pizzuto broke the deadlock in the second half. Atlante briefly held the lead, only for Necaxa to respond through Julián Carranza's penalty and salvage a point.
Pizzuto delivers the breakthrough
The opener came from outside the box and gave Atlante the first goal of the tournament. In the context of a cagey contest, it looked like it might be enough to settle the game.
For Atlante, the goal was a clear moment of reward after a goalless opening 45 minutes. For Necaxa, the response underlined the value of staying in the match until the closing stages.
Necaxa find an equaliser
Necaxa's late penalty changed the mood again and ensured the game finished 1-1. Carranza's intervention meant Atlante could not turn their lead into three points, despite taking control first.
The result leaves both sides with something to build on, but also with enough evidence that early-season sharpness still needs work. Atlante can at least point to the landmark of scoring the first goal of the 2026 Apertura tournament, while Necaxa will feel encouraged by the way they recovered to avoid defeat.
