On March 18, 2025, the Liga MX Femenil saw two matches that would shape the future of the current season as teams battled for playoff positions. At the forefront was the match between Santos Laguna and Monterrey. The game took place at 21:00 at Estadio TSM Corona.
Monterrey, struggling to maintain their champion status, has faced a challenging season. They only won one of their last five matches, even suffering a setback against Atlas with a final score of 2-1. As a result, the team found themselves positioned seventh on the table with a total of 20 points, comprising six wins, two draws, and four losses. The team needed to regain form if they hoped to keep alive their ambitions for a third consecutive championship, having been the dominant force in women's soccer for two years straight.
In stark contrast, Santos Femenil, having faced a grim journey throughout the season, was all but eliminated from playoff contention. After a solitary victory at the start of the season, the team plunged down to 17th place, accumulating just three points from 11 losses. Their disappointing performance has left many fans questioning the future of the club.
The last five matches for Santos Femenil tell the story of their season: first came a notable 5-0 loss against Tigres, and then 0-1 against Cruz Azul, following it up with a 3-0 defeat to Querétaro, a 3-1 loss to Pachuca, and concluding with a narrow loss to Toluca at 2-1. They have been relentlessly pursued by bad luck and seem unable to shift gears towards a revitalized performance.
Historic records also paint a clear picture of the dominance of Monterrey over Santos; the teams have met several times in the Liga MX Femenil, with Monterrey winning consistently. Recent scores include Monterrey 4-1 Santos, Monterrey 6-0 Santos, and Santos 0-4 Monterrey, echoing the disparity in skill level and form.
As for Monterrey, they have conceded 14 goals in the last five matches, indicating that while they have been favorable offensively, they need to tighten their defensive strategies to cope with the rising intensity of their competitors.
Kickoff for the Santos and Monterrey game saw high expectations for Monterrey, especially given their favorable odds listed by RushBet at -910 against Santos at +850. Experts noted that betting on more than 2.5 total goals being scored was showing strong possibility, which hinted at the likelihood of a high-energy game.
The tension further escalated with the stakes of the match. Santos Femenil were aiming to break their streak of defeats and had home advantage, while Monterrey was determined to regain their championship form and distance themselves from a three-match defeat streak.
While Monterrey seems poised for victory, the match echoed what could either be a refreshing redemption for Santos or yet another bleak chapter in their challenging season.
Aside from the Santos-Monterrey match, another riveting contest took place between Atlético de San Luis Femenil and Cruz Azul Femenil earlier the same day at 17:00 at Estadio Alfonso Lastras. The setting saw both teams boasting equal ambition as San Luis aimed to climb higher on the table following their recent draw against Mazatlán, holding on to 16 points from five victories, one draw, and six defeats, standing at twelfth place.
Cruz Azul was two positions higher and fighting for a better playoff spot, boasting the same number of total points but differing in their record with four wins, four draws, and four losses. Their latest game saw a triumphant 2-1 victory over Toluca that sparked hopes for continuing their climb up the standings.
Historical encounters showed Cruz Azul's strength, having won six of the eleven prior meetings, while San Luis only managed to win three times with two draws. The last time these teams met, Cruz Azul secured a convincing 2-0 win which laid a heavy burden on San Luis.
Finally, Atlas squared off against Querétaro at 19:00 in Estadio Jalisco. Atlas, at this point, was seeking to move up from their position in the league, having only eight fewer points than Querétaro. While Atlas was at the eleventh spot with 16 points, Querétaro found themselves holding onto the last playoff spot with 19 points from five wins, four draws, and three losses.
The backdrop to this match added more significance as Atlas recently defeated Rayadas 2-1, a team many had considered unbeatable. That victory served as a statement not only to their season but also as a source of motivation heading into the clash against Querétaro, who drew 1-1 with them previously in their last encounter.
For fans, March 18, 2025, proved to be pivotal in determining the paths of these teams within the Liga MX Femenil as playoffs loom ahead. The significance of each game and the pressing need for victory marked this date as one to watch closely in the ongoing season.
