Pachuca's impressive comeback against Puebla on February 26, 2025, showcased the brilliance of John Kennedy, who scored two goals to secure the 2-1 victory for the Tuzos at Estadio Hidalgo. The match, part of Liga MX's Clausura 2025 season, was marked by dramatic turns and strong individual performances.
Puebla started the match brightly, taking the lead early with a stunning goal from Ricardo Marín, who unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, placing it perfectly in the top right corner of the goal to make it 1-0. This remarkable strike, which came just 7 minutes after kickoff, was Marín's fourth goal of the season and highlighted Puebla's offensive prowess. The visitors maintained their lead through well-organized defensive play and quick transitions on the attack.
Despite being on the back foot throughout the first half, Pachuca's best chance came from John Kennedy, who attempted to score from long range but was thwarted by Puebla's goalkeeper, Miguel Jiménez, keeping the score 1-0 at the break.
The second half saw Pachuca come to life as they sought to level the score. Kennedy, who had been relatively quiet until then, found his groove, starting with the equalizer at the 66th minute. Capitalizing on a mistake from the Puebla defense, he received the ball from Oussama Idrissi, turned swiftly, and shot to beat Jiménez, bringing the match back to level terms.
The turning point arrived shortly after when Puebla's Facundo Waller was shown a red card for a reckless foul, leaving his team with just ten men. This opened up the game for Pachuca, who took full advantage of the numerical superiority.
Just minutes later, Kennedy struck again, this time giving Pachuca the lead with his second goal of the match at the 77th minute. Carlos Sánchez played him through, and Kennedy, showing excellent poise, scored from close range, securing the 2-1 lead and marking his sixth goal of the season. His performance undoubtedly earned him the title of the match MVP.
Puebla's defense struggled to regroup after the expulsion, allowing Pachuca to maintain pressure but failing to convert additional opportunities. Jiménez, the Puebla goalkeeper, exhibited remarkable resilience, making several key saves to keep the scoreline respectable.
With this victory, Pachuca climbed to sixth place in the league standings with 16 points, surpassing FC Juárez on goal difference. Meanwhile, Puebla remained at 13th with 8 points, reflecting continued struggles as the season progresses.
Looking forward, Pachuca will face FC Juárez next, aiming to build on their positive momentum, whereas Puebla will be tasked with overcoming their challenges as they square off against Querétaro.
The match displayed not only the competitive spirit of Liga MX but also the potential for rising stars like John Kennedy to make their mark on the season.
Pachuca's next fixture against Juárez is set to be another exciting encounter, as teams vie for position heading toward the midpoint of the season.