Monterrey visit Necaxa as Almeyda and Pineda target sixth straight win
Club de Fútbol Monterrey travel to Estadio Victoria on Sunday, July 26 to face Club Necaxa in Liga MX Matchday 2, aiming to extend their winning streak to six games against the Rayos and stay in the title hunt. The Rayados, led by Matías Almeyda, arrive with three goals scored and two conceded this season, sitting fourth in the standings with three points after beating Santos Laguna 3-1 on Matchday 1. Necaxa, meanwhile, opened with a 2-1 win over Atlante and will look to end their losing streak against the Pandilla, who have won five of the last five meetings.
Why this match matters for Club de Fútbol Monterrey
The clash against Necaxa isn’t just about extending their winning run; it’s also about solidifying their identity under Almeyda. The Argentine coach has bolstered the squad with the arrival of Orbelín Pineda, who returned to Mexico after shining at AEK Athens and was quick to embrace the challenge. “I’ll enjoy it, give my best, and help my teammates achieve great things. I’m ready for this new challenge,” Pineda said upon his unveiling. The Rayados, averaging two goals per game, arrive as favorites at Estadio Victoria, where they’ll aim to stay within three points of league leaders Cruz Azul.
Confirmed lineups: who starts for Necaxa vs Monterrey
Club Necaxa will line up with Luis Jiménez in goal; Agustín Oliveros, Alexis Peña, Raúl Martínez, and Carlos Vargas in defense; Daniel Leyva, Lorenzo Faravelli, and Juan Torres in midfield; and Julián Carranza, Javier Ruiz, and Ricardo Monreal up front. Meanwhile, Club de Fútbol Monterrey will field Luis Cárdenas between the posts; Ricardo Chávez, Stefan Medina, Alonso Aceves, and Gerardo Arteaga in defense; Jorge Rodríguez and Óliver Torres as double pivots; and Lucas Ocampos, Luca Orellano, Jesús Corona, and Diego Rossi in attack.
Head-to-head and pre-match context
Recent history heavily favors Club de Fútbol Monterrey, who have won all five of their last meetings against Necaxa, including a 2-0 victory in January 2026. The Rayados arrive with a perfect 1-0-0 record this season, while Necaxa seeks its first points of the campaign. The match, kicking off at 7:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. MT) in the U.S. and 5:00 p.m. in Mexico, will be broadcast live on TV and streaming platforms.
Club de Fútbol Monterrey, fourth in the standings with three points and a +1 goal difference, arrive in high spirits after their opening triumph. Necaxa, meanwhile, will look to break the Rayados’ dominance and notch their first points of the season. The clash promises a clash of styles between the Pandilla’s defensive solidity and Necaxa’s attacking intent, with the Rayos fielding new signing Kaiky Marques Naves in defense.
