AGUASCALIENTES (Interstat) — Atlas U21 used a late goal to defeat Necaxa U21 2-1 on Friday, securing its first win of the season in the competition. The visiting side opened the scoring in the 29th minute, then saw its lead erased four minutes later. The match remained level until the 88th minute, when Atlas found the decisive finish. Necaxa, playing at home, pressed for a winner before the late goal and then pushed for an equalizer in the final minutes but could not convert its final chances. The result left both teams at 1-1 in the competition and 1-1 across all competitions.

Atlas started with purpose and was rewarded before the half-hour mark. The visitors’ breakthrough came in the 29th minute, a goal that quieted the home crowd and forced Necaxa to chase the game. Necaxa responded quickly rather than folding. In the 33rd minute, the home side leveled the match, turning a period of pressure into an equalizer. The goal restored parity and gave Necaxa momentum heading into the break. Atlas had to absorb several Necaxa attacks before halftime, but the score remained 1-1.

After the interval, Necaxa looked the more likely side to score next for long stretches. The home team moved the ball through midfield and tried to stretch Atlas’ back line, while Atlas sat deeper and looked for chances on the counter. The match grew more physical as the second half wore on, with both teams committing fouls to stop breaks. Clear scoring opportunities were limited, but the tension rose as the clock moved toward full time. Necaxa pushed numbers forward in search of a second goal, leaving space behind its defense. Atlas remained dangerous on the break and eventually made that space count.

The decisive moment arrived in the 88th minute. Atlas broke through Necaxa’s pressure and scored the winner, silencing the home support and sending the visiting bench into celebration. Necaxa had little time to respond. The home side tried to launch one final attack, but Atlas managed the closing minutes and held on for the 2-1 victory. Atlas’ defense held firm in the final exchanges, clearing danger and slowing Necaxa’s attempts to surge forward. The final whistle confirmed a frustrating afternoon for Necaxa, which had matched Atlas for much of the match but conceded at the most damaging moment.

The win gave Atlas its first victory of the season in the competition, moving its record to 1-1. Necaxa’s record also stands at 1-1 in the competition after the loss. Both teams hold identical 1-1 marks across all competitions. Atlas had entered the match after a loss earlier this season, while Necaxa had come in following a win. Those earlier results set up a contrast in form that did not fully carry into the match on Friday, as Necaxa controlled portions of play without finding the goal that would have changed the outcome.

Atlas’ ability to score at the start and near the end proved enough. The visitors scored in the 29th minute, conceded in the 33rd, and then waited until the 88th for the breakthrough. Necaxa’s single goal came during its best spell of the first half, but the home side could not build on it after halftime. The match had only three total goals, all from open play or set-piece sequences, and the late winner ensured Atlas took the full reward. Necaxa was left to rue missed chances and a defensive lapse in the closing minutes.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Necaxa U21 2, Atlas U21 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Necaxa U21 with a 71.4 percent probability to win. The total score of 3 went under the over/under line of 2.5.