Pachuca claimed victory over Pumas with a decisive 2-0 scoreline during their Liga MX match on February 16, 2025, at the Estadio Hidalgo. The match marked the conclusion of the seventh round of the Clausura 2025 season, where both teams were vying for important points to boost their standings.
John Kennedy was the standout player for Pachuca, scoring both goals. His first goal came early, just 16 minutes in, when he fired the ball past Pumas goalkeeper Alex Padilla. Kennedy's right-footed shot came from outside the box, surprising the Pumas defense who struggled to keep up with Pachuca's attacking intensity. The first half ended with Pachuca leading 2-0 after Kennedy struck again shortly after the half-time whistle, putting Pumas at a severe disadvantage.
The match started with intense energy, both teams showing fervor and eagerness to win. Pachuca was the first to assert dominance, boasting ball control and tactical discipline early on. They continually applied pressure to Pumas' backline, which has been criticized for its lack of strength this season. Pumas, under the guidance of coach Gustavo Lema, were not able to find their rhythm as they failed to convert any goal-scoring opportunities.
Pachuca had entered the match after experiencing difficulties following their previous loss against Cruz Azul, and with the motivation to satisfy their home crowd, they were determined to show improvement. For Pumas, who enjoyed some morale from progressing to the knockout stages of the Concacaf Champions Cup, this match presented the chance to build upon their domestic success, yet their performance fell short.
During the encounter, Pumas struggled to orchestrate effective plays. Their attacks were either thwarted by Pachuca's organized defense or ended with poor finishing. Complaints about their lack of creativity and execution were echoed through the stadium, especially as fans noted the absence of key players like Nathan Silva, who was injured and unable to participate.
Pachuca's consistency of attack contrasted sharply with Pumas' fading attempts to mount any meaningful offense. Throughout the match, Pumas attempted to make quick counter-attacks and exploit set pieces, but they failed to muster any significant challenges for Pachuca's goalkeeper, Carlos Moreno, who aced his role, making several routine saves during the course of play.
Notably, the refereeing decisions added to the frustration for Pumas after several calls went against them, including one for offside on what could have been their first clear scoring chance by Guillermo Martínez. Although Martinez attempted to maintain pressure, his efforts were not enough to alter the game’s course.
With the match clock ticking down, Pachuca looked to maintain control, slowing the pace and managing possession effectively to see out the victory. The fans at Estadio Hidalgo celebrated as their team cemented their dominance over Pumas, concluding with both teams exchanging cordial greetings at the final whistle, albeit with Pumas visibly disappointed by the result.
Pachuca's solid display lifted them to a more favorable position on the league table, now showing promise for their upcoming fixtures, as they aim to carry the momentum from this victory forward. The disappointment for Pumas continues as they will need to regroup quickly and find solutions to their current struggles, especially as they aim for stronger performances in the weeks to come.