América Advances to Semifinals After Eliminating Pachuca
América Marches On: Zendejas Shines as Aguilas Clip Pachuca's Wings in Thrilling Quarterfinal
Mexico City, Mexico - Club América has once again asserted their dominance in Liga MX, booking their place in the semifinals after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over a resilient Pachuca side. The decisive second leg of the Clausura 2025 quarterfinal, played out under the floodlights of the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes on Saturday, May 10, 2025, was a captivating encounter that ultimately saw the Mexico City giants advance and keep their hopes of adding another star to their illustrious crest alive.
The tie arrived in the second leg with everything to play for, following a tense goalless draw in Pachuca. This 0-0 stalemate meant that América held a crucial advantage heading into their home leg; their higher position in the regular season standings meant that a draw of any scoreline would be enough to see them through. However, under the guidance of their technical staff, América showed no intention of playing for a draw, instead pushing for the goals that would secure their passage unequivocally.
The breakthrough came courtesy of a man who has become increasingly vital for Los Azulcremas: Alejandro Zendejas. With precision and composure, Zendejas opened the scoring in the 16th minute, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The goal released some of the early tension and put Pachuca on the back foot, forcing them to chase the game. Just twelve minutes later, Zendejas was at it again, doubling América's lead in the 28th minute with another well-taken finish. His brace in the first half provided América with a comfortable cushion and fundamentally altered the complexion of the tie. Pachuca, known for their attacking flair, suddenly needed to score at least two goals to force extra time or three to win outright, a daunting task against a disciplined América defense.
Despite being two goals down on aggregate, Pachuca continued to battle. They pressed forward, attempting to find a way back into the match. Their efforts nearly paid off in the dying moments of the game when they were awarded a penalty in the 90+2 minute. The opportunity fell to Rodrigo "Búfalo" Aguirre, a player capable of moments of brilliance. The Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes held its breath as Aguirre stepped up to the spot. However, his penalty failed to find the back of the net, a crushing blow for Pachuca and a moment of relief for the América faithful. The missed penalty effectively extinguished Pachuca's hopes of a late comeback and confirmed América's place in the next round.
For Club América, this advancement is significant on multiple fronts. It marks the seventh consecutive tournament in which they have reached the semifinals, an impressive streak that underscores their consistency and status as a perennial contender in Liga MX. This sustained success in reaching the latter stages of the competition fuels their ambition and brings them closer to their stated goal: dreaming of one more title.
Furthermore, eliminating Pachuca carries a degree of historical satisfaction for América. Just a few years prior, in the Clausura 2022 quarter-finals, it was Pachuca who ended América's title aspirations. This victory serves as a measure of revenge and highlights the evolving dynamic between these two prominent Mexican clubs in recent playoff encounters. The rivalry between América and Pachuca has intensified over the years, with their clashes in crucial knockout stages often providing compelling drama.
The atmosphere at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes was electric throughout the match, as is customary for a playoff tie involving Club América. The passionate home support provided a vibrant backdrop, urging their team on and celebrating each goal with fervent enthusiasm. The players fed off this energy, delivering a performance that was both tactically sound and creatively inspired at key moments.
While América celebrates their progression, Pachuca will be left to reflect on what might have been. Despite their efforts, they were unable to break down América's defense and capitalize on their opportunities, most notably the late penalty. Their journey in the Clausura 2025 comes to an end in the quarterfinals, a disappointing outcome for a team with their capabilities.
As América now prepares for the semifinals, the focus will shift to their next opponent and the challenge that lies ahead. The dream of securing another Liga MX title is now just two steps away, and based on their performance against Pachuca, Los Aguilas appear to have the form and determination to make that dream a reality. The path is clear, and América will be looking to continue their impressive playoff run and ultimately lift the trophy.
Please note: Information for this article was gathered from select online sources. I was unable to access content from all the provided links.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Club_Am%C3%A9rica
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