William Saliba out for a long time due to back injury without surgery

Matchday 2 of the Apertura 2026 of the MX League will have its greatest activity this weekend. In the middle of the week, Toluca vs. Pumas and Cruz Azul vs. Puebla were already played. Now, the remaining 14 teams begin their second round before the All-Star break against the MLS.

Schedules for Friday, July 24

The so-called ‘Botanero Friday’ will open with two meetings, both at night. The highlight is the return of Atlante to the Banorte Stadium to receive América. The Iron Colts return to the Coloso de Santa Úrsula after 19 years since their last game in that building. It is their second duel since they returned to the First Division. In addition, it means Miguel Herrera’s reunion with América, the team with which he was Liga MX champion.

Atlante vs America

• Time: 9:00 p.m.
• Transmission: Azteca 7 and ESPN
• Place: Banorte Stadium

At the same time, on the border, Tijuana receives León at the Caliente Stadium. The Xolos are looking for their second consecutive victory in the tournament, while the Esmeraldas are trying to score their first three points.

Tijuana vs León

• Time: 9:00 p.m.
• Transmission: FOX One
• Place: Caliente Stadium

Both games promise emotions on a day that marks the reunion of Atlantic fans with their historic stadium.

Renewal confirmed

Néstor Lorenzo will continue as coach of the Colombian team. The Colombian Football Federation (FCF) announced on Thursday the renewal of the Argentine, without specifying the duration of the new contract. Your previous link expired on July 24.

The executive committee met in Bogotá and ratified its support for the process. “With this agreement, the Federation ratifies its support for the technical process carried out by the coach leading our team,” the entity said in a statement.

Since 2022, Lorenzo has 31 wins, 12 draws and 8 losses in 51 games, with 96 goals for and 44 against. His best achievement was leading Colombia to the round of 16 of the World Cup, where they lost to Switzerland on penalties after drawing 0-0 after 120 minutes.

“The penalties against Switzerland were the most painful moment because our World Cup dream ended,” said Lorenzo. “The team took the initiative in all the games, we had an offensive and ambitious proposal.”

The new cycle

The 60-year-old coach now aims for the 2028 Copa América – where Colombia was runner-up in 2024 – and the 2030 World Cup. In the renewal process, figures such as James Rodríguez (35), David Ospina (37) and Camilo Vargas (37) will hardly be there. Luis Díaz (29), who scored a goal and provided an assist in the World Cup, will be the reference.

Lorenzo will also trust Gustavo Puerta, Daniel Muñoz and Jhon Lucumí. His historic assistant, Luis Amaranto Perea, left office to coach Independiente Medellín. Colombia’s next activity will be on the FIFA date of September-October, with up to four friendlies.

“Now is the time to recover energy and continue working on the development of this project. We will continue building a stronger team, maintaining an offensive game idea,” the coach told 365scores.

The French Football Federation (FFF) announced that the new coach of the national team will be presented next Thursday. Everything indicates that Zinedine Zidane will take over, replacing Didier Deschamps.

Zidane, 54, has not managed since 2021 when he left Real Madrid. As a coach, he won three consecutive Champions Leagues (2016, 2017, 2018). As a player, he was the playmaker in the 1998 world title and Euro 2000. He scored two goals in the final against Brazil and received the Ballon d’Or that year.

Deschamps spent 14 years at the head of France. He left after Euro 2024, where Les Bleus lost in the semifinals against Spain. Under his command, the team won the 2018 World Cup and was runner-up in 2022 and at Euro 2016.

“Zidane played 108 games for France and scored 31 goals,” the FFF recalled in its statement. His last act as a player was the headbutt against Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final.

France’s next commitments will be on September 25 against Türkiye in the Nations League, then visit Belgium on the 28th and host Italy on October 2.

Zidane has not directed since leaving Real Madrid. Now he takes the reins of a generation that seeks to recover the European and world throne.