Clausura 2026 Liga MX Kicks Off with Juárez Leading, América Draws with Tijuana

The Clausura 2026 Liga MX tournament officially opened on Friday, January 9, with an exciting slate of matches that set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely competitive campaign. Early on, FC Juárez announced their intentions under new management as they surged to the top of the standings with a 2-1 victory over Mazatlán at Estadio El Encanto.

Pedro Caixinha, making a return to Mexican football with Juárez, celebrated a winning start thanks to goals from Francisco Nevárez and Denzell García. Mazatlán's Facundo Almada netted a header to keep the visitors honest, but it was not enough. Notably, this tournament marks the end of Mazatlán's current era in Liga MX as the club is set for ownership changes ahead of the upcoming seasons.

Later that evening, Club América, the historically dominant team chasing their 17th league title, began their quest with a challenging away fixture against Tijuana. The match unfolded with both sides showcasing solid defensive efforts, but neither managed to break through, resulting in a 0-0 stalemate. Luis Malagón guarded the América goal, keeping the Xolos at bay, while Tijuana relied on disciplined positioning under coach Gilberto Mora.

The goalless draw means América dropped valuable points in their title defense campaign. The contest featured numerous chances, with key moments including missed efforts from players such as Víctor Dávila and Adonis Preciado but ultimately ended in a scoreless deadlock. Both teams will look to refine their attacking effectiveness as the tournament progresses.

With one win and one draw, FC Juárez currently lead the league table alongside Atlas, who secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Puebla driven by Uros Durdevic's strike. The Liga MX calendar heats up this weekend with marquee clashes such as Chivas hosting Pachuca and Cruz Azul visiting León. These fixtures will provide further clarity on early contenders and showcase the intensifying competition of the Clausura 2026.

This opening weekend served as a reminder of Liga MX's vibrant and unpredictable nature, blending emerging teams with historic powers. FC Juárez's assertive statement and Club América's cautious start set an intriguing narrative as the campaign unfolds.

Looking ahead, América will seek to collect full points starting from their next matches to maintain pressure at the top, while Juárez aim to build momentum under Caixinha’s guidance. Mazatlán and Tijuana will also target improvements to rise in the standings and stay competitive through the early stages of the season.

As the Clausura gains pace, fans can expect exciting football, tactical battles, and dramatic moments in one of North America's premier leagues.