TORREON, Mexico (Interstat) — Santos Laguna delivered a commanding performance on Sunday, dispatching Querétaro 3-1 in a Liga MX match at Estadio Nuevo Corona. The home side’s attack proved too potent, with Kevin Palacios orchestrating the victory with a goal and an assist.

The win gives Santos Laguna an early boost in the 2025 Apertura season, while Querétaro begins its campaign with a defeat. The final score outpaced the projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 2-1 result for Santos Laguna. The data firm’s ELO system had also favored the hosts, giving them a 57.40 percent probability of victory.

Santos Laguna established control early and broke through in the 22nd minute. The opening goal came from midfielder Jesús Ocejo, who found the net to give his team a lead they would not relinquish.

The momentum continued to build for the hosts, and before halftime, they doubled their advantage. In the 40th minute, Palacios, the dynamic midfielder, got on the scoresheet himself with a well-taken goal, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and solidifying his team’s commanding position heading into the break.

The second half saw Santos Laguna pick up where they left off. Just past the hour mark, in the 61st minute, substitute Aldahir Perez put the result beyond any doubt, slotting home the team’s third goal to make it 3-0.

Palacios was instrumental in the victory, contributing both as a scorer and a creator. His stat line of one goal and one assist highlighted his central role in the attacking third. Ocejo’s early strike was also a key performance, setting the tone for the match. Perez’s impact off the bench provided a crucial late spark, ensuring his team capitalized on its dominance.

The match was a physical affair, with the referee’s book seeing frequent use. The first half was particularly contentious, with five yellow cards distributed. Querétaro’s Omar Mendoza was cautioned in the 24th minute, followed swiftly by a booking for his teammate Jhojan Julio in the 25th. Santos Laguna’s Kevin Palacios received a yellow in the 36th minute, and Querétaro’s Rodrigo Bogarín and Diego Reyes were both booked just before halftime in the 42nd and 45th minutes, respectively.

The card count continued in the second half, with Lucas Rodríguez of Querétaro seeing yellow in the 72nd minute. The final booking of the match came in stoppage time, issued to Kevin Balanta.

The comprehensive nature of the victory provides a solid foundation for Santos Laguna as they look ahead in the Liga MX season. The team’s ability to convert chances and control the match from midfield will be encouraging signs. For Querétaro, the opening-day loss highlights areas needing improvement, particularly in defense and discipline, after a match that saw them concede three times and receive multiple cautions.

Both teams now hold records of zero wins and zero losses in the young Liga MX season following this opening fixture.