América confirmed its status as a candidate for the title in the Apertura 2025 Liga MX tournament with a 2-0 win over Pachuca Tuzos, in a match corresponding to matchday seven. The goals were scored by Chilean Igor Lichnovsky and Frenchman Allan Saint-Maximin, a luxury reinforcement for the Águilas, who is looking more and more adapted to Mexican soccer.
The match was played without spectators in the stands of the Azteca Stadium due to an administrative sanction imposed by the Benito Juárez mayor’s office in Mexico City. The measure generated annoyance among the fans, but did not prevent the Azulcrema team from showing superiority against a Pachuca team that could not find the formula to constantly trouble goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón.
Lichnovsky leads the way
The first goal came in the 20th minute. Alejandro Zendejas, one of the most unbalanced players on the right flank, sent in a precise cross that found Lichnovsky.
The Chilean defender surprised by joining the attack and, with a powerful left-footed shot, beat goalkeeper Carlos Moreno to make it 1-0.
This goal reflects the attacking capacity that the defender brings to the table from set pieces and surprise arrivals in the box.
Pachuca came close to equalizing in the 40th minute.
Dutchman Oussama Idrissi tried his luck with a long-range shot that seemed to sneak into the goal, but Malagón reacted with a spectacular save.
The Mexican goalkeeper’s intervention kept the lead and prevented the game from getting complicated before halftime.
America beats Pachuca
Buzzy
In the second half, coach André Jardine looked to freshen up the attack and brought on Allan Saint-Maximin in the 60th minute.
The Frenchman, who arrived from European soccer as one of the most mediatic signings of the season, took just 11 minutes to make a difference.
In a counterattack, he left the defense behind, eluded goalkeeper Moreno and scored with the goal open for the definitive 2-0.
With this goal, Saint-Maximin has scored two goals in his first two games with América, confirming the expectations of the board and the fans, who see in him a player capable of providing speed, unbalanced play and attacking power.
Thanks to the victory, the Águilas reached 17 points and climbed to second place in the standings, just one unit behind Rayados de Monterrey, the tournament leaders.
Other results of the day
The seventh day of the Apertura 2025, in which América defeated Pachuca, also produced important victories: León thrashed Querétaro 3-0, Tigres UANL beat Santos Laguna 1-0 and Cruz Azul won 2-1 against Chivas in the Clasico Joven tapatío.
In Friday’s games, Juarez defeated Mazatlan 1-0, champion Toluca overcame Atletico San Luis 3-1 and Monterrey won 4-2 in its visit to Puebla.
The day closes with Pumas UNAM vs Atlas and Tijuana vs Necaxa, matches that could move positions in the middle of the table.
El resultado fortalece el buen momento del equipo de Jardine, que se mantiene sólido en defensa y con variantes ofensivas de alto nivel
QuéOnnda.com
