Pachuca Edges Monterrey in Play-In, Set for Quarterfinal Clash with América

MONTERREY, Mexico – Pachuca defeated Monterrey 2-1 in the Play-In round at Estadio BBVA on April 27, 2025, securing their place in the quarterfinals of the Clausura 2025 tournament. The victory sets up a historic matchup with Club América, a rivalry that features a favorable record for the Tuzos.

This Sunday, Pachuca’s win over Monterrey means that América will face the Tuzos in the first round of the Liguilla. Toluca, the competition’s overall leader, awaits the winner of the last Play-In match between Rayados and another team.

This will be the eighth time that América and Pachuca face each other in a direct elimination round in Mexican soccer history. The Tuzos have historically performed better against the Águilas, winning five out of the seven previous encounters in Liguilla.

Among those seven meetings, four have taken place in the quarterfinals, where both teams have each won twice. América’s victories came in Clausura 2012 and Clausura 2024, while Pachuca won during the Clausura 2015 and 2021.

Pachuca’s dominance includes their victories over América in the semifinals of Verano 2001 and Clausura 2022, as well as a championship win in the final of Clausura 2007, marking their fifth title.

After their defeat, Monterrey now has a final chance to advance to the quarterfinals, as they are set to play another match next weekend in the Play-In round. The winner of that matchup will face Toluca in the quarterfinals.