Pachuca and Tigres UANL faced off in one of the most anticipated matches of the penultimate round of the Clausura 2025, both clubs looking to solidify their positions at the top of the Mexican championship. After 90 minutes of limited offensive action, the match ended in a 0-0 draw at Estadio Hidalgo, leaving the final standings uncertain as both teams prepare for the last matchday of the regular season in Liga MX.
Despite Pachuca entering the match as the team needing a win, currently sitting in sixth place and the last spot for direct qualification to the quarterfinals, they struggled to make an impact against a Tigres side that effectively neutralized their offensive momentum. The Tuzos had recently come off a five-goal performance against Necaxa, but they could only muster 13 total scoring opportunities and seven shots on target, which were insufficient to break through Tigres' defense.
As the match unfolded, the early exchanges hinted at an exciting encounter. Tigres' Juan Brunetta threatened with a powerful shot that was expertly saved by Pachuca's goalkeeper Carlos Moreno just three minutes into the game. Moments later, Pachuca responded with a long-range effort from Elías Montiel, but Tigres' Nahuel Guzmán was quick to deny them, pushing the ball out for a corner.
One of the clearest chances for Tigres came near the half-hour mark when Brunetta delivered a cross that caught Moreno off guard. Joaquim was positioned perfectly at the far post to tap in the ball, but he miscalculated the opportunity, sending it wide. The first half ended with both teams still searching for that elusive goal.
In the second half, the intensity continued, but both sides seemed to cancel each other out, with scoring opportunities becoming scarce. Tigres had another chance at the 70-minute mark when Nicolás Ibáñez failed to capitalize on a defensive error by Moreno, sending his shot soaring over the crossbar.
As the match approached its conclusion, Pachuca's Salomón Rondón controlled the ball inside the area and unleashed a powerful shot that was once again saved by Guzmán. The Tigres keeper was a standout performer throughout the match, making critical saves, including a header from Bryan González in the dying minutes of the game.
With this draw, Tigres secured a total of 30 points, positioning them in fourth place in the standings, while Pachuca remains in sixth with 28 points. The result keeps both teams in the playoff race, but they will need to perform well in their final matches to secure their spots in the Liguilla.
Looking ahead, Tigres will close the regular season against Pumas on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Estadio Universitario in Nuevo León. Meanwhile, Pachuca will face Atlético San Luis on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the Alfonso Lastras Stadium, where they will aim to clinch their playoff berth.
The match showcased the competitive nature of the Liga MX, with both teams demonstrating their strengths and weaknesses. As the season draws to a close, every point counts, and the pressure is on for both Pachuca and Tigres to deliver strong performances in their upcoming fixtures.
