On April 20, 2025, Atlético de San Luis delivered a stunning performance against Pachuca, clinching a 2-1 victory at the Alfonso Lastras stadium. This match marked the end of the regular season for both teams, with San Luis playing for pride and Pachuca fighting for a direct spot in the liguilla. Unfortunately for the Tuzos, their hopes were dashed, and they now face a challenging play-in game next week.
The game started with an early scare for Atlético San Luis when just 25 seconds in, Vitinho almost capitalized on a mistake by Pachuca's goalkeeper, Carlos Moreno, who misjudged a back pass. However, the visitors quickly regrouped, and by the fourth minute, they had a goal disallowed after a VAR review determined that Juan Sigala was offside. This disallowed goal set the tone for a match filled with tension and missed opportunities.
Throughout the first half, both teams struggled to find their rhythm. Elías Montiel came close to scoring for Pachuca, hitting the crossbar with a powerful shot in the 42nd minute. San Luis, however, had its own chances, with Léo Bonatini's shot being denied by Moreno and Salomón Rondón's follow-up attempt hitting the goalkeeper as well. Despite these near misses, the first half ended scoreless, leaving both teams eager to break the deadlock.
The second half saw a shift in momentum. In the 71st minute, Óscar Macías scored the opening goal for San Luis, converting a well-placed pass from Juan Sanabria. The home crowd erupted in cheers as San Luis took the lead, making it clear that they were determined to spoil Pachuca's plans.
However, the Tuzos responded swiftly. Just eight minutes later, Ilian Hernández equalized for Pachuca, showcasing their resilience in the face of adversity. The match was now tied, and the pressure was on both teams to secure a crucial victory.
With this loss, Pachuca's chances of qualifying directly for the liguilla were extinguished, and they now must prepare for a play-in match against Rayados del Monterrey at the 'Gigante de Acero' next week. If Pachuca wins that match, they will advance to face América. However, if they lose, they will have one last opportunity against the winner of the Bravos vs Pumas match, which would then lead them to a showdown with the super leader Toluca.
After the match, Pachuca's coach expressed his disappointment, stating, "We had the chances to win, but we couldn't capitalize on them. Now we have to focus on the play-in and make sure we come back stronger." Meanwhile, San Luis's players celebrated their hard-fought victory, knowing they had ended their season on a high note.
The match highlighted the importance of capitalizing on opportunities in football. San Luis took advantage of Pachuca's mistakes, while the visitors were left regretting their missed chances. The upcoming play-in will be a crucial test for Pachuca as they seek redemption and a chance to compete for the championship.
As the season winds down, the excitement of the liguilla looms large. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Pachuca can turn their fortunes around in the play-in and make a deep run in the playoffs. The stakes are high, and every match counts as teams vie for glory in the Liga MX.
