Emotions ran high Thursday evening as the Guadalajara Chivas and reigning champions Atlas faced off in the first quarter-final leg of the current Liga Mx season—the country’s premier professional soccer tournament.

The game held at Chivas’ Akron Stadium in Zapopan lived up to its billing, although the result was a let down for the home fans, ending in a 2-1 victory for Atlas.

The excitement will build even further when the two rivals lock horns in the second leg Sunday, May 15, 7 p.m. at the Jalisco Stadium. This time Atlas supporters will be in the ascendancy, as the players battle for a place in the semis and the fans for bragging rights.

Around 1,400 police officers from both the Guadalajara and Zapopan police forces have been put on call to manage fans for the two games. Giant screens will be erected for both games in the Guadalajara and Zapopan city  centers.

In the three other quarter finals, Pachuca faces San Luis, Tigres play Cruz Azul, and America come up against Puebla.

Women’s league

In the Liga Mx Femenil, Chivas advanced to the semi-finals, to play Tigres, who hammered Atlas in the quarters by a 9-1 aggregate score. The first leg is in Monterrey on Friday, May 13, and the second game at the Akron Stadium on  Monday, May 16, 7 p.m.