In a thrilling showdown at the Ciudad de los Deportes Stadium, Club América solidified their path to the semifinals of the Liga MX Clausura 2025 by defeating CF Pachuca 2-0 in the second leg of their quarterfinal matchup. With an aggregate score of 2-0, América's Alejandro Zendejas emerged as the star of the night, netting both goals that propelled his team forward in the tournament.
The match, held on May 10, 2025, saw América come into the game with confidence after the first leg ended in a goalless draw. With the stakes high, the pressure was palpable as both teams took to the field, but it was América who quickly took control.
In the 25th minute, Zendejas opened the scoring with a brilliant strike from outside the box, capitalizing on a deflected shot by Victor Davila. The ball found its way to Zendejas, who unleashed a powerful shot that sailed past Pachuca's goalkeeper, Carlos Moreno, into the far corner of the net. The goal sent the home fans into a frenzy, as América took a crucial 1-0 lead.
As the game progressed, Pachuca struggled to find their rhythm, with their best efforts thwarted by América's solid defense and goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón, who made several key saves throughout the match. Notably, a close-range effort from Pachuca's John Kennedy was expertly blocked by Sebastián Cáceres, while a long-range attempt from Carlos Sanchez was saved by Malagón.
América continued to press for a second goal, and they didn't have to wait long. Just before halftime, Zendejas struck again, doubling the lead in the 43rd minute. A well-placed cross from Kevin Álvarez found Zendejas at the far post, who calmly slotted the ball home, making it 2-0 and leaving Pachuca with a mountain to climb in the second half.
With the aggregate score now 2-0 in favor of América, Pachuca needed to score at least two goals to advance, but their task became even more difficult when Oussama Idrissi received a red card for a second yellow just before the break, reducing Pachuca to ten men.
In the second half, Pachuca attempted to mount a comeback, but their efforts were met with staunch resistance from América. Despite several attempts, including a shot from Pedro Pedraza that went wide and a corner kick that failed to convert, Pachuca could not find the back of the net.
América, on the other hand, continued to threaten. In the 70th minute, Rodrigo Aguirre had a chance to extend the lead further when he was awarded a penalty after a handball by Bryan Gonzalez. However, Aguirre's shot hit the crossbar, keeping the score at 2-0. This miss proved costly as Pachuca needed every opportunity to stay in the match.
As the clock wound down, América made several substitutions to maintain their lead and secure their place in the semifinals. Zendejas was substituted for Diego Valdes as a precaution after receiving a hard tackle, and Victor Davila was replaced by Dagoberto Espinoza.
Pachuca continued to push for a goal, but their attempts were thwarted by América's resolute defense. In the closing minutes, a shot from Alfonso Gonzalez hit the post, and another attempt from Elías Montiel was saved by Malagón, sealing Pachuca's fate.
As the final whistle blew, América celebrated their victory and advancement to the semifinals, marking a significant step towards their goal of achieving a historic four-peat in Liga MX. Head coach André Jardine expressed pride in his team's performance, emphasizing their resilience and determination.
After the match, Zendejas reflected on his performance, stating, "It feels great to contribute to the team in such an important match. We are focused on our goal of winning the championship, and this victory is a step closer to that dream." Meanwhile, Pachuca's coach, Guillermo Almada, acknowledged the challenges his team faced, particularly after Idrissi's dismissal, but remained optimistic about their future.
With this win, Club América not only advances in the Liga MX but also reinforces their status as a formidable contender in Mexican soccer. Fans are eager to see how far the Águilas can go as they continue their quest for glory in the Clausura 2025.
