On Sunday, April 27, 2025, the excitement of Liga MX reaches a fever pitch as the Play-In series for the Clausura 2025 kicks off. This thrilling phase will determine the final teams to advance to the Quarterfinals, and fans are already buzzing with anticipation. The matches feature FC Juárez taking on Pumas de la UNAM and Monterrey facing Pachuca, promising a day filled with high-stakes soccer.
The Play-In format, inspired by international leagues, aims to inject more competitiveness into the final phase of the tournament, allowing more teams a shot at the championship. With only 90 minutes to decide their fates, the pressure is on for all involved. If the matches end in a tie, the outcome will be decided by a direct penalty shootout, ensuring that every moment counts.
In the first match of the day, FC Juárez will host Pumas at the Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez, with kickoff set for 17:00 hours (Mexico City time). This marks a historic moment for Juárez, as it is their first appearance in the Play-In of Mexican soccer. The Bravos, led by coach Martín Varini, secured their spot with 24 points during the regular season, finishing ninth in the General Table. Despite a recent setback, losing 2-0 to Querétaro, they are eager to make their mark in this crucial match.
Pumas, on the other hand, comes into the game with a mixed bag of results, finishing the regular phase in tenth place with 21 points. Their journey to this point has been rocky, culminating in a 2-1 defeat against Tigres. However, the university team has proven resilient, and they’re determined to turn their fortunes around in this elimination match.
Historically, the encounters between Juárez and Pumas have been evenly matched. In their last meeting during Jornada 15 of the current Clausura 2025, the two teams played to a goalless draw, highlighting their defensive strengths but also a struggle to convert chances into goals. The stakes are high this time; the winner will advance to face the loser of the Monterrey vs. Pachuca match, while the loser will exit the tournament.
The second match of the day features Monterrey taking on Pachuca at the Estadio BBVA, scheduled for 19:30 hours. Monterrey, known as Rayados, enters this Play-In with a strong record, finishing the regular season as the second team with the most high recoveries in the tournament, tallying 130 recoveries. They have also shown their scoring prowess, converting these opportunities into 22 shots on goal, with three successful conversions.
Rayados are coming off two consecutive victories, having defeated León 2-0 in Jornada 17 and América 1-0 in Jornada 16. However, they faced a couple of tough losses earlier in the season, including a 2-1 defeat to Tijuana and a loss to their fierce rivals Tigres. Now, they are looking to capitalize on their home advantage in this decisive match against Pachuca.
Pachuca arrives at the Play-In after a challenging regular season, where they fell to Atlético San Luis 2-1 in their last outing. Prior to that, they had a mixed performance, including a goalless draw against Tigres and a solid win over América. Their journey has been marked by ups and downs, but they are determined to harness their experience in knockout scenarios.
In their previous encounters, Pachuca has had the upper hand against Monterrey in decisive matches, remaining unbeaten in their last nine clashes in Liga MX knockout phases. The last time Monterrey triumphed over Pachuca outside the regular season was back in November 2004, a statistic that adds extra motivation for the Rayados.
Both matches promise to be tightly contested, with the potential for drama and excitement. The Play-In format has created a buzz among fans, with many eager to see which teams will secure their spots in the Quarterfinals alongside Toluca, América, Cruz Azul, Tigres, Necaxa, and León.
As the clock ticks down to kickoff, fans are gearing up to support their teams. For Juárez, a victory would signify a significant step forward in their development, while for Pumas, it’s a chance for redemption and to showcase their storied history in Mexican soccer. The atmosphere in Ciudad Juárez is expected to be electric, with supporters filling the stands to cheer on their Bravos.
Meanwhile, in Monterrey, the Rayados will look to leverage their home field advantage, with a capacity crowd anticipated at the BBVA. The stage is set for a thrilling day of soccer, where the dreams of championship glory hang in the balance.
As the matches unfold, the anticipation builds for what promises to be a memorable day in Liga MX. Fans are reminded to tune in to the broadcasts—FC Juárez vs. Pumas will be available on Azteca 7 and various streaming platforms, while Monterrey vs. Pachuca can be watched on Canal 5 and TUDN. The countdown to kickoff is on, and only one team from each matchup will continue their quest for the Liga MX title.
