Matchday 11 of the 2026 Apertura had everything—except for uncontroversial refereeing calls. Both the Clásico Tapatío between Atlas and Chivas and the América vs. Monterrey match ended up mired in controversy over uncalled penalties and VAR decisions, sparking heated debate across Liga MX.
At Jalisco Stadium, the 1-1 draw left more controversy than soccer. As reported by Mediotiempo, just two minutes into the game, a shot by “Piojo” Alvarado struck Jorge Sánchez’s hand inside the Rojinegro penalty area, but referee Marco Antonio “Gato” Ortiz had already called a previous foul and did not award the penalty kick. The play did not go unnoticed: Former referee Fernando “El Cantante” Guerrero called it “scandalous” on social media, asserting that Sánchez’s arm was in an unnatural position and slamming the video referee system: “VAR is messing up.”
But “El Gato” Ortiz wasn’t done yet. In the 73rd minute—with Atlas leading 1-0 on a goal by Kevin Zenón—he called a penalty in favor of Chivas after Édgar “Gary” Zaldívar brought down Santiago Sandoval. VAR called him over to review the play; Ortiz spent three minutes in front of the monitor and upheld his decision. Ángel Sepúlveda took the penalty, Camilo Vargas saved it—his 22nd penalty save in Liga MX—and minutes later, Sepúlveda himself redeemed himself by scoring the final 1-1 equalizer.
On the other side, at Banorte Stadium, the 1-1 draw between América and Monterrey had its own bombshell. Around the 30th minute, Cristian Borja stepped on Jesús “Tecatito” Corona inside América’s penalty area. Referee Óscar Mejía did not call a penalty or consult the monitor, and the VAR official, Vicente Jaziel Reynoso, did not call him over to review the play either. The detail that’s causing all the controversy: Borja had already been booked, so the play could have cost him a second yellow card and a red card.
Reactions were swift. Journalist Fernando Cevallos accused the referees of favoring América on the very day of the club’s 110th anniversary: “América should have finished the match with nine players, and there was a crystal-clear penalty that wasn’t called against them.” “Cantante” Guerrero himself also questioned the play and believed that VAR should have intervened. Monterrey, which was leading 1-0, ended up conceding the tie with a goal by Santiago Bueno in the final minutes.
What’s curious is the contrast: while in Guadalajara the VAR did intervene to review—and uphold—a penalty, at the Azteca stadium, the referee didn’t even consult it. As Claro Sports noted, Atlas coach Hernán Crespo chose not to get involved in the controversy: “I don’t talk about referees.”
Two derbies, two 1-1 draws, and the same unexpected protagonist: the whistle. Matchday 11 will be the talk of the week—and not exactly because of the goals.
