On January 28, 2025, Puebla hosted Mazatlán at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc for the fourth round of the Liga MX Clausura 2025, but the home team failed to secure their first victory of the season, losing 1-0. This disappointing result continues Puebla's struggle to perform, as they have not won any matches since the league commenced.
Heading to the match, Puebla found themselves languishing in 15th place with only 2 points after three games—two draws and one loss. Their most recent match was also against Cruz Azul, where they managed to grab just one point by finishing the game 1-1.
On the other hand, Mazatlán entered the match with slightly more momentum, sitting 9th with 4 points following their victory against Toluca. With one win, one draw, and one loss under their belt, they hoped to build on this progress against Puebla, who was seeing their challenges compounded with each match.
The game began at 19:00 hours local time and saw the home team eager to change their fortunes. Fans rallied behind the team, encouraged by their previous draws against formidable opponents but anxious for tangible results—a sentiment echoed on the Club Puebla’s social media channels. "No importa la hora, la fecha o donde juguemos ¡DARÍA CUALQUIER COSA POR SIEMPRE VENIR A VERTE!" they tweeted, indicating unwavering loyalty and support.
Despite Puebla's intentions to seize the game, the first half did not turn out as planned. Adjustments were needed, yet they struggled to find their rhythm, resulting in limited goal-scoring opportunities. The turning point came just before halftime; Emanuel Gularte's unfortunate own goal gifted Mazatlán the lead. This would become the decisive moment of the match, as Puebla failed to equalize thereafter.
Following the own goal, the second half saw Puebla pushing vigorously to retrieve their lost advantage. Nevertheless, the intensity on the field resulted more often than not in missed opportunities. A late surge including several corner kicks and attacking plays clouded their game plan, as frustration mounted among the players and supporters alike. Puebla's attempts were thwarted repeatedly by Mazatlán's defense, consolidators of their slim lead.
The game ended 1-0, prompting concerns for Puebla as they are still yet to secure their first win. Coach Pablo Guede has his work cut out as he seeks the right combination of strategies and player positions to salvage what is becoming a grim season.
Both teams will now look beyond this game with future encounters looming. Mazatlán will be eager to ride this victory and strengthen their place, aiming for consistency as they prepare for their next match. Meanwhile, Puebla faces growing pressure, with upcoming matches serving as potential turning points—starting with their next fixture against Santos on February 2, 2025.
Taking to social media after the match, Club Puebla expressed the need for solidarity moving forward. "Este martes, es momento para que todos UNIDOS logremos el triunfo en el Cuauhtémoc," they shared, highlighting the expectation and eagerness from their fanbase to see tangible improvements on the pitch.
Looking at the bigger picture, this match not only impacts the league standings but affects the morale of both teams. For Puebla, the urgency to break the winless run is real, and each subsequent game will be pivotal in shifting the narrative of their season.