The highly anticipated matchup between Pachuca and Club América unfolded on May 7, 2025, at the Estadio Hidalgo, marking the first leg of the quarterfinals in the Liga MX Clausura 2025. Fans were eager to witness this classic rivalry, as both teams are steeped in tradition and history within Mexican football.
As the match kicked off at 9:10 PM local time, the atmosphere was electric, with both sides looking to gain an early advantage. Pachuca, having secured their spot in the playoffs through a dramatic 2-1 victory over Monterrey in the Play-In, entered the game with momentum. The team, led by coach Guillermo Almada, finished the regular season in seventh place with 28 points, boasting a record of 8 wins, 4 draws, and 5 losses. Their offensive prowess was highlighted by their ability to score 29 goals while conceding 23.
In contrast, Club América, under the guidance of André Jardine, concluded the regular season as the runner-up with 34 points, showcasing a formidable record of 10 wins, 4 draws, and just 3 losses. They were particularly noted for having the best defense in the tournament, conceding only 10 goals, while their attack netted 34 goals, making them a well-rounded threat.
The first half saw both teams struggle to find their rhythm, with Pachuca controlling 56% of possession compared to América's 44%. Early on, Alejandro Zendejas from América threatened the Pachuca goal with a powerful shot that sailed just over the bar in the second minute. However, the match was marred by a series of fouls and interruptions, including a head collision between Sebastián Cáceres and Pachuca's goalkeeper, Carlos Moreno, which required medical attention.
In the 12th minute, Pachuca's Jorge Berlanga received the first yellow card of the match for a foul on Zendejas. The game continued to be tightly contested, culminating in a controversial moment in the 29th minute when Moreno was initially shown a red card for a foul on Henry Martín, who was through on goal. However, after a VAR review, the decision was overturned as Martín was ruled offside, allowing Pachuca to maintain their full squad.
Despite the tense moments, neither team could break the deadlock in the first half, and the teams went into the break with the score still 0-0, much to the frustration of the fans.
The second half resumed with both teams eager to capitalize on any opportunity. However, the match continued to be characterized by missed chances and solid defensive plays. In the 51st minute, Pachuca's Salomón Rondón came close with a header, but América's goalkeeper, Luis Malagón, was equal to the task, making a crucial save.
As the match progressed, the intensity heightened, with both sides making tactical substitutions to gain an edge. In the 74th minute, América made two significant changes, bringing in Alan Cervantes and Javairô Dilrosun for Henry Martín and Kevin Álvarez, respectively. Meanwhile, Pachuca introduced Santiago Homenchenko and John Kennedy in the 57th minute, looking to inject fresh energy into their attack.
In the 87th minute, Pachuca's newly introduced player, Arturo González, nearly found the back of the net with a shot that just skimmed over the crossbar, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. However, the final whistle blew with the score still tied at 0-0, leaving everything to play for in the return leg.
With the aggregate score level, the upcoming second leg at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes on May 10, 2025, promises to be a thrilling encounter. América holds the advantage due to their higher position in the regular season standings, meaning that Pachuca must secure a victory in the next match to advance to the semifinals.
As both teams reflect on the first leg, the tactical battle continues off the pitch, with coaches Almada and Jardine preparing their strategies for the decisive match. The stakes are high, as Pachuca seeks to upset the defending champions and assert their dominance in this storied rivalry.
In post-match comments, Henry Martín acknowledged his return from injury, stating, "I’m not yet in rhythm after my injury, but I felt good playing. We must be at 100% for the next match." The anticipation builds as fans await what promises to be an exhilarating conclusion to this quarterfinal showdown.
