Sports
América Beats Pachuca to Reach Clausura Semifinals
Mexico City, Mexico — Club América, coached by Brazilian André Jardine, defeated Pachuca 2-0 on Saturday to qualify for the semifinals of the 2025 Clausura tournament.
This victory followed a goalless draw in the first leg last Thursday at Pachuca’s home ground. América showed its strength at home, thanks to two goals from Alejandro Zendejas.
Pachuca, led by Uruguayan Guillermo Almada, started the match strongly and nearly scored in the 13th minute with a long-range shot from Alan Bautista, which was saved by goalkeeper Luis Malagón.
América seized the lead in the 16th minute, when Zendejas found the net with a left-footed shot set up by Chilean Víctor Dávila, making it 1-0.
It took Pachuca some time to recover from this setback, and just when they appeared to regain their composure, Zendejas struck again in the 28th minute, scoring a second goal from a pass by Kevin Álvarez.
The tempo of the match slowed, becoming tangled in midfield, until Moroccan Oussama Idrissi was sent off in the 45+2 minute, leaving Pachuca with ten men.
With a daunting task of needing three goals in the second half without conceding any, Pachuca started aggressively but soon lost momentum.
In the 71st minute, Uruguayan Rodrigo Aguirre nearly scored a third goal for América, but defender Daniel Aceves intervened to save the Tuzos.
Pachuca continued to fight back, coming close to scoring in the 76th minute when Alfonso González hit the post.
In stoppage time, Aguirre had the chance to score again but missed a penalty in the 93rd minute.
Earlier on Saturday, Toluca clinched a hard-fought victory over Monterrey, winning 2-1 despite playing with ten men for 69 minutes. Goals from Alexis Vega and Portuguese Paulinho sealed the win, while Roberto de la Rosa scored for Monterrey.
The quarterfinals will conclude on Sunday. León, featuring Colombian World Cup player James Rodríguez, will visit Cruz Azul, who won the first leg 3-2. Tigres UANL will host Necaxa in a series that remains scoreless.
