In a thrilling encounter at the Estadio BBVA, Pachuca pulled off a stunning comeback against Monterrey, defeating them 2-1 in the Play-In match of the Torneo Clausura 2025. This victory not only secured their place in the quarterfinals but also set them up for a showdown against America.
The match started with high intensity, as Monterrey's Nelson Deossa almost put the home side ahead just two minutes in with a long-range shot that narrowly missed the target. Pachuca, however, quickly responded with some dangerous plays of their own. Juan Sigala had a chance to score with a header, but he sent the ball soaring over the crossbar.
As the first half progressed, both teams struggled to find the back of the net, with Salomón Rondón's powerful shot being saved by Monterrey's goalkeeper, Esteban Andrada. The hosts had their chances too, but Jorge Rodríguez's header was comfortably caught by Pachuca's Carlos Moreno.
Despite a relatively balanced first half, it was Monterrey who broke the deadlock shortly after the second half began. In the 50th minute, Jesús 'Tecatito' Corona made a brilliant play down the left flank, delivering a perfect cross to Germán Berterame, who made no mistake in converting it into a goal, putting Monterrey up 1-0.
With the momentum on their side, Monterrey looked poised to advance, but Pachuca refused to back down. They continued to press forward, creating several opportunities, including a shot from Bryan González that went wide. However, their persistence paid off in the 81st minute when Eduardo Bauermann found the equalizer. After a well-executed play, he seized on a loose ball in the area and fired it past Andrada, leveling the score at 1-1.
Just when it seemed that the match would end in a draw, a crucial mistake by Esteban Andrada swung the game in Pachuca's favor. In the 86th minute, after a long-range shot from Oussama Idrissi, Andrada failed to secure the ball, leaving it vulnerable in the area. Salomón Rondón was quick to react, tapping the ball into the net to complete the comeback and secure a 2-1 victory for Pachuca.
This result sends Pachuca through to the quarterfinals as the seventh seed, where they will face off against America, a team they are all too familiar with in high-stakes matches. The last time these two teams met in a playoff situation was during the 2016 Clausura final, where Pachuca snatched the title away from America in dramatic fashion.
Monterrey, on the other hand, will have another chance to fight for their place in the liguilla as they prepare to face Pumas in a decisive elimination match. The absence of their star signing, Sergio Ramos, who could not recover in time from injury, was felt throughout the game. His defensive prowess might have changed the outcome, especially in light of the mistakes that allowed Pachuca to capitalize late in the match.
As the dust settles on this electrifying encounter, both teams will now shift their focus to their respective upcoming matches. Pachuca will aim to build on this momentum against America, while Monterrey will look to regroup and avoid further disappointment against Pumas. Fans can expect a thrilling continuation of the playoff action as the stakes continue to rise in the Liga MX.
