Under the bright lights of Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes on Saturday, February 7, 2026, Club América delivered a performance that kept fans on the edge of their seats, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rayados de Monterrey in Jornada 5 of the Liga MX Clausura. It was a night defined by grit, tactical discipline, and a moment of magic from Alejandro Zendejas, whose clinical strike at the 64th minute proved to be the difference-maker and sent the home crowd into celebration.
Coming into this clash, América had just picked up their first win of the tournament against Necaxa, shaking off a slow start and beginning to resemble the formidable side that fans remember from their recent championship runs. The match against Monterrey was billed as a high-voltage encounter, with both teams aiming to make an early statement in their quest for the Liga MX title. Monterrey, sitting seventh in the standings before kickoff with two wins, one draw, and one loss, were eager to showcase their own ambitions and perhaps introduce their new signing Djuka to the league.
Kickoff arrived at 21:00 local time, and from the outset, América looked the more assertive side. With the odds slightly favoring the hosts—América at -118 to win, compared to Monterrey’s +320—the pressure was on for André Jardine’s men to perform. The home side’s starting lineup featured Luis Malagón in goal, a defensive line of Sebastián Cáceres, Israel Reyes, Cristian Borja, and Kevin Álvarez, with Rodrigo Dourado, Jonathan Dos Santos, Erick Sánchez, Alejandro Zendejas, Brian Rodríguez, and captain Henry Martín rounding out the eleven. Monterrey, for their part, fielded Luis Cárdenas between the sticks, with Ricardo Chávez, Daniel Aceves, Gerardo Arteaga, John Medina, Fidel Ambriz, Oliver Torres, Sergio Canales, Jorge Rodríguez, Lucas Ocampo, and Uros Durdevic hoping to find a breakthrough.
The first half was a cagey affair, with América dominating possession but struggling to carve out clear-cut chances. Monterrey’s compact shape and disciplined midfield made life difficult for the home attackers, but América’s persistence was evident. The return of Israel Reyes to the starting lineup after a muscular injury provided a boost at the back, as he slotted in seamlessly and helped maintain a clean sheet for the Águilas. "Israel Reyes regresa tras lesión," noted ESPN, highlighting the defender’s reassuring presence after missing key matches against Necaxa and Olimpia in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the second half. As the clock ticked past the hour mark, América’s offensive pressure paid off. Alejandro Zendejas, wearing the number 10 shirt and orchestrating much of the team’s attacking play, found himself in space and unleashed a precise shot that beat Cárdenas and rippled the back of the net. The stadium erupted, and Zendejas celebrated what would ultimately be the game-winning goal. According to ESPN, "Alejandro Zendejas demostró que sigue siendo una pieza clave en el esquema de André Jardine. El camiseta 10 de América es el referente en el ataque marcando el ritmo de los avances, es el más peligroso siempre y redondeó su actuación con gol."
Yet, the joy was tempered moments later. Just minutes after his heroics, Zendejas pulled up with a muscular complaint and signaled to the bench. With 15 minutes remaining, he was substituted, raising concerns about his fitness for the crucial run of matches ahead. América had only just welcomed back several key players from injury, and Zendejas’s setback was an unwelcome twist. Still, the team held firm, with Henry Martín—himself returning to the starting lineup after a lengthy spell on the sidelines—putting in a strong 70-minute shift before making way for fresh legs.
Rayados, for all their star power and ambition, struggled to find cohesion in attack. Despite boasting a squad full of talent, Monterrey’s familiar issues of teamwork and fluidity resurfaced, leaving them frustrated and unable to break down América’s organized defense. As the final whistle sounded, América had not only secured their third consecutive victory but also leapfrogged Monterrey in the standings, climbing to eighth place with eight points, while Rayados slipped to ninth with seven.
The match also marked the potential debut of América’s high-profile Brazilian reinforcement, Raphael Veiga, adding another layer of intrigue for supporters eager to see how the squad would evolve in the coming weeks. For Monterrey, the anticipated debut of Djuka didn’t provide the spark they had hoped for, as the visitors left the capital empty-handed.
Looking ahead, América’s calendar is packed with pivotal fixtures. The team now turns its attention to the Concacaf Champions Cup, where they’ll face Olimpia of Honduras at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes on February 11. Having already claimed a narrow 2-1 victory in the first leg, the Águilas are well-positioned to advance to the next round, but Jardine will be keen to ensure his side avoids any complacency. Just days later, the much-anticipated Clásico Nacional against Chivas looms large on February 14 at Estadio Akron in Zapopan—a fixture that always brings extra intensity and national attention. América’s recent form, bolstered by the return of key players and a string of wins, sets the stage for a dramatic showdown with their fiercest rivals.
Meanwhile, Monterrey must regroup quickly, as they prepare to host Xelajú of Guatemala in their own Concacaf Champions Cup tie. Any victory in that match would see Rayados progress, but the team knows improvement is needed if they’re to compete on both domestic and international fronts.
América’s upcoming schedule doesn’t get any easier, with crucial matches against Puebla (February 20), Tigres (February 28), and Juárez (March 4) on the horizon. The squad’s depth and resilience will be tested, especially as they manage injuries and fixture congestion. The return of leaders like Henry Martín and Israel Reyes, alongside the continued emergence of Zendejas as a vital attacking force, gives fans reason for optimism. However, the fitness of Zendejas will be closely monitored in the days ahead, as his influence has become increasingly central to América’s attacking identity.
As the dust settles on Jornada 5, América’s faithful can savor a performance that combined determination, tactical discipline, and flashes of brilliance. The 1-0 win over Monterrey may not have been a goal-fest, but it was a statement of intent from a team rediscovering its championship pedigree. With a pivotal stretch of matches just around the corner, the Águilas are gathering momentum at precisely the right moment.