Pachuca and Mazatlán faced off on March 8, 2025, at Estadio Hidalgo during the 11th round of the Liga MX Clausura 2025, with both teams fighting for valuable points.
Kickoff was at 8:00 PM Central Time, and the match promised excitement as both teams sought to improve their standings. Pachuca, led by coach Guillermo Almada, entered the match seventh on the table, aiming to bounce back after earning just two points from the last three matches; most recently, they tied 2-2 with Bravos de Juárez. Meanwhile, Mazatlán, under the guidance of Víctor Manuel Vucetich, was battling to escape twelfth place after their disappointing draw against Cruz Azul.
The first half began with both teams attempting to establish dominance but ended scoreless. Pachuca struggled to convert their opportunities, with John Kennedy posing the biggest threat, trying to surprise the visitors early on. Despite sustained pressure, neither team managed to score, and the first half concluded with tensions high.
After the break, Mazatlán struck first when Omar Moreno found the back of the net just four minutes after the restart, putting them 1-0 up. Moreno’s goal came from outside the area, driven by determination and perfect placement, catching Pachuca’s goalkeeper off-guard. This early second-half goal rallied Mazatlán fans and motivated the team to maintain their momentum.
Not to be disheartened, Pachuca quickly regrouped and intensified their offensive efforts. It wasn’t long before they answered back to the Mazatlán lead. At the 56th minute, John Kennedy scored, equalizing for Pachuca thanks to an assist from Javier López, who delivered the ball with precision, allowing Kennedy to finish smoothly from the center of the area. The match was now tied at 1-1, reigniting the hope for Pachuca fans who had been anxious throughout the first half.
Substitutions played a pivotal role during the encounter, as Pachuca made tactical changes to bolster their attacking play. Emilio Rodríguez came on for Alonso Aceves and Luis Rodríguez replaced Alán Bautista, both alterations made to inject fresh energy and cohesion. Mazatlán also mixed their squad, introducing Mauro Laínez for Omar Moreno as they aimed to regain control of the midfield.
Throughout the match, referee Maximiliano Quintero Hernández kept the action flowing but had to issue yellow cards for poor tackles. Jefferson Itriago received one for Mazatlán, marking the growing frustration of players as they fought fiercely for control.
Despite Pachuca’s efforts to seize the game, opportunities dwindled as fatigue took its toll. Salomón Rondón and Oussama Idrissi both missed chances to put Pachuca ahead, as they struggled to find their shooting rhythm. The visitors also had their moments but failed to capitalize, with Gustavo Sánchez and Nicolás Benedetti unable to make their attempts count.
With the match ending 1-1, both coaches were left to contemplate next steps. Pachuca's draw kept them within the playoff conversation but highlighted their need for improvement as they look to solidify their form. They remain at seventh on the table, now on seventeen points. Conversely, Mazatlán stays twelfth but gains momentum, securing valuable points close to playoff contention.
This match bolstered hopes for the upcoming weeks as both teams look to build on their performance heading forward. Next up, Pachuca will aim to capitalize on home advantage more decisively, whereas Mazatlán will look to replicate their fighting spirit to continue moving up the Liga MX standings.