Luis Puente gave Atlante the lead against Cruz Azul after Andrés Gudiño was caught out in a sequence that summed up the home side's nervous start at Estadio Azteca. The Potros de Hierro forward won the aerial duel and pushed the ball into the net to make it 0-1 in Jornada 3 of the Torneo Apertura 2026.
Gudiño's mistake changes the match
The move began before the goal, when Gudiño reacted to a long-range shot that hit the post. Later in the first half, a cross from the right side reached the penalty area, and Luis Puente timed his run well enough to beat Gudiño in the air and finish the chance for Atlante.
It was a moment that highlighted the tension around Cruz Azul in this match. Joel Huiqui used an alternate team against Atlante, and the early setback put even more focus on Gudiño's nervousness and mistakes during the game.
Atlante take advantage at Estadio Azteca
For Atlante, the goal was exactly the kind of reward they needed from a disciplined attacking move. For Cruz Azul, the champions of Liga MX were left with an early problem to solve after a defensive lapse opened the door for their opponents.
The scoreline at 0-1 did not tell the full story of the match, but it did underline how quickly one error can alter the tone of a contest. Luis Puente was alert, decisive and strong in the air, and that was enough to put Atlante in front.
