Atlas began their 2026 Liga MX campaign with a narrow 1-0 home win over Puebla on January 10, 2026, at the Estadio Jalisco. A solitary goal in the second half was enough to separate the teams in a match that was short on clear chances but high on intensity. The game was a tense, midfield-oriented battle for the first hour, with both defenses on top. The breakthrough came from a moment of individual quality, as an Atlas forward cut inside from the left and curled a beautiful shot into the far corner. Puebla pushed for an equalizer in the final stages but could not break down a resolute Atlas backline. The three points gave Atlas an ideal start in the league table, building early momentum for the season ahead. The Puebla manager felt a draw would have been a fair result, while the Atlas coach emphasized the importance of winning home games. The starting lineups reflected both teams' intent to be solid first, leading to a cagey but ultimately decisive contest.