Matchday 5 of the Clausura 2026 Liga MX brought an electric showdown to the Ciudad de los Deportes as Club América hosted Monterrey in a clash that had fans buzzing with anticipation. Both teams entered the contest with something to prove: América, eager to shake off a sluggish start, and Monterrey, hoping to climb into the top three with a statement win. The stakes were high, the stands were packed, and the drama did not disappoint.
Heading into the match, Monterrey sat 7th in the league table with seven points, the result of two wins, one draw, and one loss. Their momentum had stalled slightly after a 2-2 draw with Tijuana and a 1-1 tie against Club Xelaju in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, where Jesus Corona salvaged a point with a dramatic 92nd-minute equalizer. Meanwhile, América, under André Jardine, was 10th with five points, having just secured their first league win of the season—a confident 2-0 victory over Necaxa, thanks to goals from Brian Rodriguez and Victor Davila. They also edged out CD Olimpia 2-1 in the Champions Cup, with goals from Davila and Ramon Juarez, signaling a possible turnaround in form.
The match kicked off at 9:10 p.m. local time in Mexico City (10:10 p.m. ET/7:10 p.m. PT in the United States), broadcast across a slew of networks including TUDN, Univision, and ViX, ensuring fans on both sides of the border could tune in. The starting lineups were as expected: América fielded Luis Malagon in goal, with a defensive line of Cristián Borja, Ramón Juárez, Sebastián Cáceres, and Kevin Álvarez. Rodrigo Dourado and Johnathan Dos Santos anchored the midfield, with Erick Sánchez playing ahead of them. The attacking trio featured Brian Rodriguez, Victor Davila, and Jose Zuniga. Monterrey countered with Santiago Mele between the posts, a back four of Luis Reyes, Alonso Aceves, John Medina, and Ricardo Chavez, a midfield quartet of Sergio Canales, Oliver Torres, Fidel Ambriz, and Jesus Corona, and Luca Orellano plus Lucas Ocampos up front.
From the opening whistle, both sides showed intent. América pressed high, looking to build on their recent successes, while Monterrey’s Rayados, led by coach Domenec Torrent, played with their trademark unpredictability. Early exchanges saw América probing down the flanks, with Brian Rodriguez and Álex Zendejas testing Monterrey’s defense. Monterrey responded in kind, with Orellano and Ocampos seeking gaps in the América backline.
The first half was a tense, tactical affair. América created several chances, with Erick Sánchez and Jonathan dos Santos orchestrating play from midfield. At minute 13, Álex Zendejas forced a save with a left-footed shot from the center of the area, but Santiago Mele stood firm. Monterrey’s best opportunity came from Oliver Torres, whose right-footed effort inside the box was blocked by the América defense. Both teams exchanged fouls and yellow cards, with Lucas Ocampos booked for dangerous play in the 17th minute and América’s defense having to stay alert against Monterrey’s quick transitions. The half ended scoreless after three minutes of added time, with both sides feeling they could’ve done more.
After the break, the intensity only grew. Monterrey made an early change, bringing on Luca Orellano for Jorge Rodríguez, while América stuck with their starting eleven. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 65th minute. Jonathan dos Santos picked up the ball in midfield and threaded a precise pass to Álex Zendejas. With composure and a touch of class, Zendejas unleashed a left-footed shot from the center of the area, sending the ball into the right side of the net. The stadium erupted as América took a 1-0 lead—Zendejas’ goal was the spark the home fans had been waiting for.
Monterrey responded by upping the pressure. Substitutions followed on both sides as managers sought fresh legs and tactical tweaks. Monterrey introduced Jesus Corona for Lucas Ocampos and later Iker Fimbres for Oliver Torres, hoping to inject creativity and energy. América, meanwhile, made a double change in the 67th minute, bringing on Victor Davila and Raphael Veiga to shore up their midfield and attack. The match’s physicality increased, with yellow cards shown to Jesus Corona and Sergio Canales for dangerous play. The referee had his hands full as tempers flared and fouls mounted.
The closing minutes were a rollercoaster. Monterrey threw everything forward, earning a series of corners and forcing América’s defense to dig deep. In the 90th minute, the fourth official indicated four minutes of added time, setting the stage for a frantic finish. Monterrey’s Roberto de la Rosa, brought on late for Uros Djurdjevic, twice came close—first with a right-footed shot from outside the area that was saved by Malagon, and then with a left-footed strike that was blocked. América’s backline, marshaled by Ramón Juárez and Sebastián Cáceres, held firm, repelling wave after wave of attacks.
There was a moment of concern for América when Álex Zendejas had to leave the pitch injured in the 77th minute, replaced by Alexis Gutiérrez. Still, the hosts maintained their composure. Victor Davila received a yellow card for a late foul deep into stoppage time, but by then, América’s players and fans could sense victory was within their grasp.
When the final whistle blew, América celebrated a hard-fought 1-0 win over Monterrey. It was their second consecutive victory in all competitions and a crucial three points that could prove pivotal in their climb up the Clausura 2026 table. Monterrey, for all their effort and late pressure, were left to rue missed opportunities and a stubborn América defense.
After the match, América’s camp was understandably upbeat. The combination of resilience at the back and a moment of brilliance from Zendejas proved decisive. According to the match report, "Álex Zendejas scored the only goal for América with a left-footed shot from the center of the area assisted by Jonathan dos Santos." Monterrey’s coach Domenec Torrent, meanwhile, acknowledged the challenge: his side had now drawn three consecutive matches across all competitions and would need to regroup quickly to regain momentum in the league.
This result sees América move closer to the top half of the Liga MX table, while Monterrey remains in seventh, just outside the top spots but with plenty of matches left to play. With both teams still alive in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the season promises more twists and turns. For now, though, it’s América’s night to savor—a gritty, determined win that could kickstart their campaign.