One of the most epic comebacks ever by El Rebaño Sagrado — one that marked an entire generation of Chivahermanos — happened exactly 20 years ago, just one day before Club Deportivo Guadalajara’s 100th anniversary. That legendary night would later be known as the 'El Milagro del Centenario'.
Heading into the Clausura 2006 playoffs, Chivas faced a situation very similar to the one they’re dealing with right now: they had to play the Final Phase without 6 national team players, since the club formed the core of Mexico’s squad preparing for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Oswaldo Sánchez, Francisco Javier Rodríguez, Carlos Salcido, Ramón Morales, Gonzalo Pineda and Omar Bravo were all unavailable.
On May 7, 2006, Chivas arrived at the second leg of the Quarterfinals at Estadio Víctor Manuel Reyna trailing 3-2 on aggregate. As soon as the ball started rolling in Chiapas, Walter Jiménez scored for Jaguares and put the Rojiblancos in an even deeper hole at 4-2 on aggregate. Still, the Rebaño delivered one of the greatest displays of heart and pride in club history to come away victorious from a stadium where they hadn’t won in nearly four years.
Edwin Borboa and Diego Martínez scored in the 23rd and 31st minutes, respectively, bringing Guadalajara right back into the series before halftime by leveling the aggregate score at 4-4.
With 45 minutes left to play, Chivas needed just one more goal to eliminate Jaguares. But in the 52nd minute, Paraguayan striker Salvador Cabañas converted a penalty to put the home side back in front and force the Rebaño to score twice more, since the aggregate tie would send Jaguares through due to their higher regular-season standing.
Facing that situation, head coach José Manuel de la Torre decided to take defenders José Antonio Patlán and Manuel Sol off the field and bring on Sergio Santana and Adolfo Bautista to give the attack more firepower. It was the legendary ‘Bofo’ who pulled Chivas fully back into the fight by scoring the 3-2 goal from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute, tying the aggregate score at 5-5 with just eight minutes remaining.
Guadalajara never let up, and in the final minute of regulation, Johnny García headed home a cross from Jonny Magallón to beat goalkeeper Omar Ortiz and score the goal that completed the miraculous comeback. The dramatic strike sealed a 6-5 aggregate win and sent Chivas into the Semifinals, making the moment even more emotional as it came during the tournament in which the club celebrated its 100th anniversary.
