In a dramatic turn of events during the final match of the Clausura 2025 regular season, Club América triumphed over Mazatlán with a commanding 5-0 victory at the Estadio Azulcrema. However, the joy of the win was overshadowed by a concerning injury to their starting goalkeeper, Luis Ángel Malagón, who left the field after suffering an ankle injury just 20 minutes into the match.
América, which had been struggling with five consecutive matches without a win, got off to a fantastic start. Víctor Dávila opened the scoring in the 4th minute with a powerful header, followed shortly by Álvaro Fidalgo doubling the lead in the 13th minute, also with a header from a corner kick. The team seemed to be in complete control with a 2-0 lead, but the atmosphere changed dramatically when Malagón injured his left ankle while attempting to prevent a corner kick.
As Malagón twisted his ankle, he collapsed to the ground, visibly in pain. His immediate reaction raised alarms among the players and coaching staff, who feared the worst. Despite the injury, Malagón managed to stay on the field until halftime, where he was replaced by Rodolfo Cota for the second half. The decision to substitute him was made out of caution, as the medical team assessed the situation.
Post-match reports confirmed that Malagón suffered an ankle sprain, although the severity of the injury remains uncertain. León Lecanda from ESPN and Julio Ibañez from TUDN reported that Malagón felt he was in perfect condition but would likely miss the initial matches of the upcoming Liguilla.
After the injury, América continued to dominate the match. Dávila scored a penalty in the 51st minute to extend the lead to 3-0, marking his second goal of the night. Fidalgo added his second goal in the 58th minute with a low shot that left the Mazatlán goalkeeper, Hugo González, with no chance. Rodrigo Aguirre capped off the scoring in the 75th minute, sealing the convincing 5-0 victory.
This decisive win not only boosted América's morale but also solidified their position in the playoffs, finishing the regular season with a total of 34 points. The team is now focused on the Liguilla, where they will aim for their fourth consecutive championship. However, the injury to Malagón adds a layer of uncertainty as they prepare for the knockout stage.
América's coach, André Jardine, will have to make strategic adjustments as he navigates the challenges of player injuries. Along with Malagón, Diego Valdés and Brian Rodríguez were confirmed to be unavailable for the Liguilla, further complicating the team's preparations. Fortunately, Jardine can count on Rodrigo Aguirre, who has returned to full fitness, and Henry Martín, who is expected to be available by the end of April. Alan Cervantes may also be included in the plans for the final phase.
The injury crisis has raised concerns among the fans, as the team looks to recover key players in time for the playoffs. As América gears up for the Liguilla, the focus will be on how quickly they can adapt to these setbacks and maintain their championship aspirations.
Meanwhile, Mazatlán finished the season at the bottom of the table, unable to escape last place in the quotient standings. The defeat means they will face financial penalties, with their owner, Ricardo Salinas Pliego, required to pay a fine of 80 million pesos. This disappointing end to the season raises questions about the future of the club and its management.
As the dust settles on the regular season, all eyes will be on América as they prepare for the Liguilla. With a strong finish against Mazatlán, they have the momentum, but the looming injury concerns could test their resolve in the quest for the championship.
