Pachuca Kicks Off Apertura 2025 with Dominant 3-0 Victory Over Monterrey
The Liga MX Apertura 2025 season roared to life on Sunday, July 13, 2025, as Pachuca delivered a commanding performance, defeating Monterrey 3-0 at the Estadio Hidalgo. The match, a highly anticipated clash between two teams with recent international experience, saw the Tuzos secure a decisive victory on home turf, marking a strong start to their domestic campaign. The game, which kicked off at 5:00 PM Central Mexico time, was broadcast on Tubi and Caliente TV, drawing significant attention from fans eager for the return of top-flight Mexican football. (Milenio, Mediotiempo)
Both clubs entered the Apertura 2025 with fresh perspectives following their participation in the Club World Cup. Pachuca, despite being eliminated in the group stage, aimed to translate their international lessons into domestic success. Monterrey, on the other hand, had a more respectable run, reaching the Round of 16 before being knocked out by Borussia Dortmund. Historically, Pachuca had the upper hand in recent encounters, having defeated Monterrey 3-2 in the Clausura 2025 and securing a 2-1 victory in the Play-In round of the same tournament. Pre-match odds from Caliente.mx and RushBet favored Pachuca, with odds around +124 to +125 for a home win, reflecting confidence in their ability to start strong. Monterrey also faced challenges with key absences, including Nelson Deossa, who was among six players unavailable for the match. (Milenio, Mediotiempo)
The first half of the match was a tightly contested affair, with both teams creating opportunities but failing to find the back of the net. Pachuca showed early intent, with Jhonder Cádiz and Alexéi Domínguez making dangerous runs, but Monterrey’s goalkeeper, Santiago Mele, was alert, making crucial saves. Yellow cards were issued to Pachuca’s Bauermann and Monterrey’s Tecatito Corona, indicating the intensity of the opening period. Despite Pachuca’s numerous attempts, including a disallowed goal for offside, the score remained 0-0 at halftime. Monterrey, while holding more possession (59.3% to Pachuca’s 40.7%), struggled to convert their dominance into clear-cut chances. (ESPN Deportes, Milenio)
The second half, however, was a completely different story, as Pachuca unleashed a flurry of goals to secure their victory. The deadlock was broken in the 51st minute when Jhonder Cádiz found the net with a left-footed shot. The goal was initially disallowed for offside but was subsequently validated after a VAR review, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Just four minutes later, in the 55th minute, Alexéi Domínguez doubled Pachuca’s lead, capitalizing on a long pass from Jhonder Cádiz and slotting the ball past Mele. The Tuzos continued their relentless attack, and in the 78th minute, Elías Montiel sealed the emphatic win with a well-placed left-footed shot from outside the box, assisted by a clever back-heel pass from Víctor Guzmán. Monterrey’s Sergio Ramos also received a yellow card in the 69th minute, reflecting their growing frustration. (Milenio, ESPN Deportes)
Pachuca’s efficiency in the second half was evident in the statistics, converting 6 shots on goal from 16 attempts into three goals. Monterrey, despite their higher possession, managed only 3 shots on goal from 12 attempts, highlighting their struggle to penetrate Pachuca’s defense. The final whistle confirmed Pachuca’s dominant 3-0 victory, giving them a perfect start to the Apertura 2025 season and placing them at the top of the Liga MX standings after the first matchday. This performance sends a clear message to the rest of the league that Pachuca is a force to be reckoned with, while Monterrey will need to regroup and address their offensive shortcomings as the season progresses. (ESPN Deportes)
