Puebla beats Atlas 4-3 in pre‑season finale

Puebla defeated Atlas 4-3 in the final friendly before Apertura 2026, securing a win that boosts morale ahead of the league start. The match, held at Atlas' Academy, was played in four 40‑minute periods to give minutes to all squad members.

How did the game unfold?

Sergio Hernández opened the scoring for Puebla, but Atlas answered with a goal from one of their new signings. Rivaldo Lozano restored Puebla's lead, and José Martín capped the victory with the final strike. Coach Diego Cocca tried to rally his side, yet the Puebla defense held firm until the final whistle.

What does the result mean for Puebla?

Even though the friendly doesn’t affect the table, the win indicates Puebla is sharpening its attack before the Apertura. With 13 goals scored and 26 conceded this season, the club aims to improve its -13 goal difference and climb the standings. Currently Puebla sits 17th in Liga MX, with 13 points (3 W‑4 D‑10 L) and a recent form of LLLLD.

What’s next for the teams?

Atlas will keep training at the Academy and opens the league on July 19 against León. Puebla returns to its facilities to fine‑tune details and prepares for its next official fixture against the Portland Timbers, away on August 7, 2026. The Puebla board hopes the confidence gained against Atlas translates into better league results.

Who were the key players?

Puebla’s goals came from Sergio Hernández, Rivaldo Lozano and José Martín, while Atlas featured several new signings who couldn’t alter the outcome. Argentine coach Diego Cocca used the match to assess the newcomers and tweak tactics before the tournament begins.