QUERETARO, Mexico (Interstat) — In a tightly contested Liga MX match defying pregame projections, Queretaro secured a 1-0 victory over Guadalajara on Wednesday at Estadio La Corregidora, with the game’s lone goal arriving just seconds after the opening whistle.

Forward Ali Ávila stunned the visiting side, finding the net a mere two minutes into the contest to provide the decisive margin. The early strike set the tone for a physical encounter that saw Queretaro’s defense hold firm against a Guadalajara squad that entered the match as a heavy favorite.

The result was an upset according to statistical analysts Interstat, whose pregame models gave Guadalajara a 67.10 percent probability of victory and projected a 1-1 draw.

Queretaro’s winning play was a product of immediate pressure and an unlikely source of offense. Goalkeeper Guillermo Allison initiated the sequence, earning an assist with a long distribution that found midfielder Ángel Zapata. Zapata, who also recorded an assist on the play, then slotted a pass to Ávila, who finished clinically to send the home crowd into an early frenzy.

Facing a deficit from the outset, Guadalajara struggled to break down a disciplined Queretaro backline. The visitors’ frustrations grew as the match progressed, leading to a series of cautions.

The game’s physical nature was exemplified by substitute Richy Ledezma, who entered the match for Queretaro. Ledezma was shown a yellow card in the 44th minute, and his involvement ended dramatically in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time when he received a second yellow, resulting in a red card and an ejection.

Queretaro’s Zapata was also booked in the 72nd minute, and goalkeeper Allison received a yellow card in the 81st minute for time-wasting as the home team managed the final stages of the match.

Despite being reduced to 10 men for the final moments, Queretaro saw out the victory, with Allison’s early assist complemented by a clean sheet in goal. The shutout handed Guadalajara a defeat to open its league campaign.

The match was the season opener for both clubs in Mexico’s top-flight division. With the result, Queretaro begins its Liga MX season with a win, while Guadalajara starts with a loss. The records for both teams across all competitions also stand at one win for Queretaro and one loss for Guadalajara.