Pachuca Dominates Pumas 3-1 in Crucial Liga MX Playoff Clash

Pachuca delivered a commanding performance at Estadio Miguel Hidalgo on Wednesday night, defeating Pumas UNAM 3-1 in the Liga MX Apertura 2025 Play-In stage. The victory keeps the Tuzos' playoff hopes alive while eliminating the university side from championship contention.

Kenedy's Brace Powers Pachuca to Victory

The match turned on a stellar performance from Brazilian midfielder Kenedy, who scored twice to give Pachuca control of the contest. After Enner Valencia opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with an assist from Alan Bautista, Kenedy doubled the advantage just seven minutes later with a powerful strike from outside the box that left Keylor Navas with no chance.

"What a great shot from Kenedy from outside the area," noted live coverage from VAVEL. "Keylor Navas can't prevent the second goal for the Tuzos."

The Ecuadorian striker Valencia proved instrumental in the opening goal, demonstrating why he remains one of Liga MX's most dangerous forwards. His combination play with Bautista unlocked a Pumas defense that had shown resilience in recent matches but couldn't contain Pachuca's attacking waves on this crucial night.

Pumas Fight Back But Fall Short

Pumas UNAM entered the second half needing a response, and they got one through substitute Pedro Vite in the 65th minute. The midfielder, who had entered at halftime, controlled a pass from José Caicedo before firing home to cut the deficit to 3-1 and briefly inject hope into the visitors' campaign.

However, any momentum shift proved short-lived. Kenedy had already put the match beyond doubt with his second goal in the 55th minute, assisted by Oussama Idrissi. The strike effectively sealed Pumas' fate and demonstrated the clinical finishing that had been missing from Pachuca's play for much of the regular season.

What This Result Means for Both Teams

The victory was critical for Pachuca, who finished ninth in the regular season standings with 22 points from 17 matches. Under new manager Esteban Solari, who replaced Jaime Lozano after disappointing regular season results, the team needed to prove they could compete when it mattered most.

According to FOX Sports, Pachuca will now advance to face the loser of the Tijuana versus FC Juarez matchup on Sunday, November 23, with a spot in the Liguilla quarterfinals on the line. The Liga MX playoff format gives teams finishing seventh and eighth a second chance if they lose their first Play-In match, but ninth and tenth-place finishers like Pachuca and Pumas faced immediate elimination with a loss.

For Pumas UNAM, the defeat marks a disappointing end to what had been an improving campaign. The university side had shown promising form heading into the playoffs, including impressive victories over Cruz Azul (3-2) and Tijuana (4-1) in their final regular season matches.

Key Players and Tactical Decisions

Pachuca's 4-2-3-1 formation provided the structure needed to control midfield while creating dangerous attacking opportunities. Goalkeeper Carlos Moreno had relatively little to do thanks to solid defensive work from Sergio Barreto and Eduardo Bauermann, though he remained alert when called upon.

Pumas manager Efrain Juarez made strategic halftime substitutions, bringing on Pedro Vite and Angel Rico for Santiago Lopez and Pablo Monroy, who had picked up a yellow card late in the first half. While Vite's goal provided a brief spark, the changes couldn't reverse the momentum Pachuca had established.

The absence of Adalberto Carrasquilla, suspended due to yellow card accumulation, proved costly for Pumas in midfield. The team also missed the injured José Juan Macías, their star forward sidelined for the season with an ACL injury. These personnel losses highlighted the thin margin between success and failure in knockout football.

Looking Ahead: Pachuca's Path Forward

Pachuca now faces another must-win scenario on Sunday. The Tuzos will need to maintain the intensity and clinical finishing they displayed against Pumas while potentially adjusting to face a different opponent's tactical approach.

Solari's decision to start with experienced players like William Carvalho on the bench paid dividends, as the Portuguese midfielder entered late to help see out the victory. The coaching staff will need to carefully manage player fitness and tactical preparation with just days before their next crucial fixture.

The match statistics revealed Pachuca's dominance, with the home side creating the majority of dangerous chances throughout the 90-plus minutes. Their average of 0.88 goals per game at home during the regular season was exceeded in spectacular fashion, suggesting the team may be peaking at precisely the right moment.

The Broader Liga MX Playoff Picture

The top six teams—Toluca, Tigres UANL, Cruz Azul, Club América, Monterrey, and Guadalajara—have already secured their places in the quarterfinals and await their opponents. The Play-In stage determines which two teams from seventh through tenth will join them.

According to Goal.com, this single-elimination format creates intense pressure and dramatic moments. Unlike some playoff systems that offer multiple opportunities to advance, Liga MX's Play-In structure rewards decisive performances and punishes any lapses in concentration or execution.

Final Thoughts

Pachuca's convincing 3-1 victory over Pumas UNAM demonstrated that when their attacking players find rhythm, the Tuzos remain dangerous opponents for any team in Liga MX. Kenedy's match-winning performance, Valencia's leadership, and improved defensive organization under Solari suggest Pachuca could yet make noise in these playoffs.

For Pumas UNAM, the season ends with disappointment but also valuable lessons learned. The team showed resilience throughout the campaign but ultimately fell short when facing elimination. As they turn attention to the next tournament, addressing squad depth and injury concerns will be paramount.

As the Liga MX Apertura 2025 playoffs continue, Sunday's showdown will determine whether Pachuca can complete their improbable run from ninth place to the Liguilla proper. After Wednesday's statement victory, they've proven they have the quality to compete—now they must prove they have the consistency to advance.