GUADALAJARA, Jalisco (Interstat) — Leones Negros delivered a decisive and disciplined performance to shut out Morelia 2-0 on Saturday in a Liga de Expansión MX match at Estadio Jalisco, avenging a loss from the previous season and halting the visitors’ recent momentum.

The home side, improving to an even 9-9-7 record in the league this season, controlled the tempo for long stretches and capitalized on key opportunities in each half. Morelia, which entered the match with a strong 13-9-5 league record and riding a two-game winning streak, was held scoreless for the first time since late January.

Defender Juan Agüayo broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, powering in a header off a well-placed assist from midfielder Sergio Hernández. The goal shifted the momentum firmly in favor of Leones Negros just before halftime.

The home team emerged from the break with continued pressure and doubled its lead in the 55th minute. Forward Óscar Gil finished a swift attacking sequence, with substitute Brandón Ochoa credited with the assist. The two-goal cushion effectively sealed the match, as Morelia struggled to mount a consistent threat against an organized Leones Negros defense.

The match was a physical contest, reflected in five yellow cards issued by the officiating crew. Morelia’s Luis Sandoval was booked in the 29th minute, followed by Leones Negros’ Sergio Hernández just before halftime in the 45th minute. A flurry of cautions occurred early in the second half, with Morelia’s Daniel Zamora seeing a yellow in the 49th minute and Leones Negros’ Brandón Ochoa in the 52nd. Morelia substitute Jaziel Martínez received a late yellow in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time.

The victory served as payback for Leones Negros, which fell 3-2 to Morelia in the teams’ previous meeting on Oct. 26, 2025. The result also aligned closely with pregame projections from Interstat, whose game simulator had predicted a 2-1 Leones Negros win and whose ELO rating system gave the home side a 55.9% probability of victory.

For Morelia, the loss represents a missed opportunity to solidify its standing and marks a stumble following its 2-0 win over Irapuato on March 28. Leones Negros, meanwhile, bounced back from a 3-1 defeat to Mineros de Zacatecas in its last outing on March 22.

The Liga de Expansión MX schedule continues next Saturday, April 11, with Leones Negros traveling to face Deportes Venados, while Morelia returns home to host Tlaxcala.