The Rayados del Monterrey faced off against Pachuca at the Estadio BBVA on January 25, 2025, but their hopes for securing their first win of the Clausura 2025 season were dashed as they fell 3-2 to the visitors. The excitement was palpable as the home team aimed to transform their two draws from the initial matches of the tournament.
Monterrey opened the scoring when Sergio Canales converted a penalty kick. The penalty was awarded after Germán Berterame's header struck the hand of Pachuca's defender, Andrés Micolta, and after reviewing the incident using VAR, the referee pointed to the spot. Canales, showing great composure, expertly placed the ball past Carlos Moreno to give Rayados the lead at the 25-minute mark. Celebrations erupted as Canales revealed a shirt supporting teammate Carlos Salcedo, who recently faced a severe knee injury.
Just when it seemed like Rayados might take control of the match, Pachuca found their footing. Oussama Idrissi stunned the home crowd by scoring the equalizer just before halftime. Idrissi received the ball at the edge of the penalty area, and with no defenders challenging him, he rifled a shot to the bottom left corner of the net. This goal shifted momentum entirely, leaving the score 1-1 at the break.
The second half began with intensified pressure from both sides, but it was Pachuca who struck again. A penalty was awarded to Pachuca early in the half after Erick Aguirre committed a foul inside the box upon Salomón Rondón. Rondón stepped up and confidently buried the penalty, putting Pachuca ahead 2-1 at the 62-minute mark. This goal sent the Pachuca fans wild and left Rayados fans apprehensive about their team's chances of clinching their first victory.
Further misfortune befell Monterrey as Esteban Andrada, who was expected to be the difference-maker for the team, made a disastrous error. Andrada misjudged the flight of the ball during a counter-attack. Instead of securing the ball, he inadvertently let it slip through his hands, gifting John Kennedy the chance to score Pachuca's third goal and extend their lead to 3-1 at the 69-minute mark. The once boisterous crowd at Estadio BBVA now echoed with boos aimed at Andrada, highlighting the tense relationship between the player and the supporters.
Despite the setback, Monterrey refused to go quietly. Displaying fighting spirit, they pushed forward and found success at the 72-minute mark. A cleverly executed cross from Erick Aguirre allowed Berterame to rise above the defenses and connect with his header, narrowing the deficit to 3-2. The energy surged back to the home side as the fans rallied behind their team, propelled by the hope of salvaging at least one point.
But as the clock ticked down, Pachuca held firm, defending their lead with tenacity. The match concluded with Rayados unable to find the equalizer, leaving them still without a victory after three matches and placing them at 14th position on the league table with just two points to show for their efforts. The frustration among the players was evident, especially as they had hoped for more from this encounter, especially playing at home.
This defeat places Rayados under increased scrutiny as they work to regain their form and credibility within the league. The team must quickly reassess their strategy before they visit Club Atlas on January 29, 2025, where they will seek to turn their fortunes around.
For Pachuca, the victory was significant as they built on their performance from the previous matches, now having two wins from three games. Their coach, Jorge Almada, will undoubtedly be pleased with the resilience shown by his side, coming from behind to clinch the three points.
The struggles of Rayados are now well-documented, leaving fans anxious as they look for the players to step up and reverse the tide of this challenging start to the season.