On January 16, 2026, Dorados de Sinaloa erased a 1‑0 deficit to defeat Mineros de Zacatecas 2‑1 at Estadio Banorte, sparking a vital three‑point gain that lifts them into playoff contention. The comeback, driven by a quick second‑half strike from Ángel Córdoba and a decisive corner header by Carlos Mendoza, reshapes the Expansión MX Clausura race.
Match Overview
First Half
Mineros opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when veteran forward Luis García headed the ball past the Dorados keeper, giving the visitors a 1‑0 lead and putting early pressure on the home side.
Second Half Turnaround
Ten minutes after the interval, Dorados launched a swift counter‑attack. Midfielder Jorge Ramírez delivered a low pass to striker Ángel Córdoba, whose finish beat goalkeeper Luis Álvarez III to equalize at 1‑1. Within five minutes, a well‑executed corner from Ramírez found defender Carlos Mendoza, whose header from the near post secured the 2‑1 victory.
Rivalry Background
The two clubs share a long‑standing rivalry from their days in the second division. Over the past three seasons they have met 28 times, with Dorados winning 12, Mineros 11 and five matches ending in draws. This ninth encounter of the 2025‑26 Clausura highlighted how evenly matched the sides remain.
Table Implications
- Dorados move from ninth to eighth place, narrowing the gap to the playoff line to three points.
- Mineros drop from fifth to sixth, losing momentum in their push for a top‑four spot.
- League leaders Morelia remain solitary at the summit with 22 points, three ahead of second‑placed Atlético San Luis.
After the match Dorados’ defensive record improved to conceding just 0.9 goals per game, reflecting the effectiveness of coach Mariano López’s “dual‑phase” strategy: a compact defensive block followed by rapid transitions.
Future Fixtures
Next week Dorados travel to face Atlético San Luis on January 22. A repeat of their second‑half intensity could propel them into the top‑four. Mineros host Tapatío on January 24, looking to rebound after the setback.
Season Outlook
The comeback victory underscores the growing competitive balance of the Expansión MX Clausura. With the playoff race tightening, every point matters and revitalized sides like Dorados are emerging as serious challengers to traditional powerhouses. Their momentum heading into the final phase could define the narrative of the 2025‑26 campaign.
