Mexico City witnessed another thrilling chapter of Liga MX as América triumphed over Pumas with a solid 2-0 victory during the Clásico capitalino, held at the iconic Estadio Olímpico Universitario on Saturday night. The win is particularly noteworthy as it not only secures three points for América but also restores their place at the top of the tournament rankings, allowing them to reclaim the subleader position with 20 points after Jornada 8 of the Clausura 2025.
Right from kickoff, América displayed great composure and strategy, taking advantage of Pumas' defences. The scoring began at minute 23 when Brian Rodríguez strategically executed a free kick. The ball sailed perfectly to the feet of Israel Reyes, who was opportunistic at the back post. Reyes pushed the ball effortlessly past Pumas' debuting goalkeeper Alex Padilla, marking the opening goal for América (1-0).
Despite the setback, Pumas sought to equalize soon after. Ignacio Pussetto came close with what would have been the equalizer, only for his shot to hit the post—an agonizing near-miss for the home side. Although América had the upper hand, Padilla made significant saves, including blockages of powerful attempts from Rodríguez, indicating some promise for the struggling Pumas.
Things took a turn for the worse for Pumas just before halftime when Piero Quispe received a controversial red card for what was termed as 'tallón' against Richard Sánchez. This expulsion left Pumas at a disadvantage and undoubtedly altered the dynamics of the game, with América leading narrowly at the interval.
The second half commenced with América determined to capitalize on their numerical advantage. Just three minutes after the restart, Álvaro Fidalgo received the ball inside the area. Following an excellent screen by Henry Martín, Fidalgo wasted no time, unleashing a well-placed shot. The ball found the bottom corner of the net, extending América's lead to 2-0.
After gaining momentum, América nearly extended their lead even more, with another goal netted by Sánchez. Alas, the referee ruled it out for offside following VAR review, leading to sighs of disappointment among the visiting supporters. Pumas, overwhelmed and unable to trend offensively, could hardly threaten América's goal, only managing to complete routine periods of possession without significant threats.
The match culminated with the locals being quieted by the realization of their lackluster performance. Many fans voiced their frustrations as Pumas left the pitch without managing to score at home—a dismal showing. The new head coach Gustavo Lema, also ejected for dissent during the match, faced scrutiny for failing to inspire his players against their fierce rivals.
America seized the opportunity to control the match with efficient tactics and defensive resilience. With pivotal players like Rodriguez contributing on and off the score sheet, they left Pumas rattled. This decisive victory not only bolsters América's momentum but also poses significant questions for Pumas about their capability and approach moving forward. The match highlighted the depth of talent and the competitive spirit present within Liga MX, underscoring why such encounters captivate fans from across the nation.
With América's victory echoed throughout the stands and the fans celebrating, the focus now shifts to their next matchup, where they aim to maintain their form and push for the top spot, and Pumas will need to regroup quickly as they face mounting pressure to perform.