Alebrijes de Oaxaca 1-0 Mineros de Zacatecas: Ramírez Strike Secures Narrow Ascenso MX Win

Alebrijes de Oaxaca claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mineros de Zacatecas in Ascenso MX action on October 30, 2026, with a second-half goal from Diego Ramírez proving enough to separate the sides at the Estadio Tecnológico de Oaxaca. The result handed Oaxaca three valuable points in the standings and reinforced their reputation as a difficult team to break down at home, while Zacatecas were left to reflect on a disciplined but ultimately toothless attacking display.

Match overview

The contest began with Oaxaca looking to impose themselves through patient possession, while Mineros de Zacatecas adopted a compact mid-block and looked to spring forward on the counter. Alebrijes circulated the ball well in the opening quarter, using their wide players to stretch the Zacatecas back line, but the visitors defended their penalty area with concentration and limited clear sights of goal.

Zacatecas grew into the game as the first half wore on, pressing higher and forcing a few hurried clearances from the Oaxaca defence. However, the final pass repeatedly eluded them in the attacking third. Oaxaca’s best early moments came from set pieces and second balls around the edge of the box, but neither goalkeeper was seriously tested until the latter stages of the first period.

Key moments

The decisive moment arrived just after the hour mark. Oaxaca won the ball back in midfield and moved it quickly through the lines, releasing Ramírez into the right channel. The forward took a composed touch before firing a low finish across the goalkeeper and into the far corner, sending the home support into celebration and giving Alebrijes the lead they had been building toward.

Zacatecas responded with their most purposeful spell of the match. A header from a corner drifted narrowly wide, and a sharp save from the Oaxaca goalkeeper preserved the advantage during a tense final twenty minutes. Mineros pushed more bodies forward late on, but Oaxaca’s back line held firm, dealing with crosses and defending the edge of the box with discipline until the final whistle.

Tactical story

Oaxaca’s 4-2-3-1 shape gave them control in central areas, with the double pivot shielding the defence and allowing the full-backs to support attacks selectively. The home side were patient rather than explosive, but their best work came when they increased the tempo after halftime and attacked the space between Zacatecas’s midfield and defence.

Mineros de Zacatecas set up in a 4-4-2 and initially frustrated their hosts by keeping compact vertical lines. The problem was offensive: with too few players committing to transitions, their counters often ended with a hopeful cross or a shot from distance. Once Oaxaca scored, Zacatecas had to open up, and that played into the home side’s hands as spaces appeared for late counters.

Standout performers

• Diego Ramírez (Alebrijes de Oaxaca): The match-winner showed sharp movement and composure for the only goal, and his hold-up play helped relieve pressure late on.
• Carlos Villanueva (Alebrijes de Oaxaca): Controlled the tempo from midfield, won important second balls, and kept Oaxaca organized during Zacatecas’s best spell.
• Jorge Estrada (Alebrijes de Oaxaca): Commanding at centre-back, especially in the closing stages when Zacatecas pumped balls into the box.
• Alejandro Soto (Mineros de Zacatecas): Despite the defeat, the goalkeeper made several important saves and kept his side within reach.

Standings and season impact

The three points strengthen Oaxaca’s position in the Ascenso MX standings and add momentum to their home form. In a competition where away results are often difficult to come by, turning tight home matches into victories is essential for any promotion or playoff push, and this was exactly the kind of gritty performance that coaches value over the course of a long season.

For Mineros de Zacatecas, the defeat leaves them searching for greater cutting edge in the final third. Their defensive organization was solid for long periods, but the lack of a consistent goal threat cost them at least a share of the points. Zacatecas will need to convert their territorial spells into clearer chances if they are to climb the table in the coming weeks.

What comes next

Alebrijes de Oaxaca will look to build on the win when they return to action, with the coaching staff likely to emphasize the same compact defensive structure and quick transitions that produced the decisive goal. Mineros de Zacatecas, meanwhile, will focus on improving their attacking rotations and getting more support to their forwards in away fixtures. The 1-0 scoreline may not have been spectacular, but it was a result