Mazatlán FC secured a crucial victory against Pachuca on Wednesday, February 26, 2026, at Estadio El Encanto, winning 1-0 in a match that offered a glimmer of hope for the struggling team facing its final tournament in Liga MX. The win, secured by a goal from Dudu in the first half, marked Mazatlán’s first home victory since October 3, 2025, when they defeated Atlético de San Luis.
The match, part of Jornada 8 of the Clausura 2026 tournament, saw Mazatlán, under the guidance of Sergio Bueno, break a lengthy winless streak at home. Despite facing a challenging season Bueno’s arrival has seemingly injected fresh life into the team. Pachuca, while dominating possession for much of the first half, couldn’t convert their opportunities, with Salomón Rondón missing a key chance early on. ESPN Mexico reports that Pachuca’s early pressure, led by Oussama Idrissi, tested Ricardo Rodríguez in goal, but Mazatlán gradually gained control of the midfield.
Dudu’s Decisive Strike
The breakthrough came just before halftime, in the 45th minute, when a long ball into the Pachuca area found captain Facundo Almada, who skillfully laid the ball off for Dudu. Dudu then finished with a well-placed shot past Carlos Moreno, giving Mazatlán a 1-0 lead. TUDN highlighted the goal as a pivotal moment, shifting the momentum in favor of the home side.
The second half saw Mazatlán attempting to extend their lead, but their task was complicated by the 74th-minute expulsion of Sebastián Santos, leaving them to play with ten men for the remainder of the match. Despite being a man down, Mazatlán’s defense, anchored by Ricardo Rodríguez, managed to withstand Pachuca’s attacks and preserve their narrow advantage. Pachuca pressed for an equalizer, with Eduardo Bauermann’s header in the 90th minute being saved by Rodríguez, preventing a late goal.
League Standings and Context
As of February 27, 2026, Pachuca holds a record of 4 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, accumulating 14 points. Mazatlán, however, remains near the bottom of the table with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses, totaling 7 points. ESPN’s live score coverage details the current standings, showing Guadalajara leading with 6 wins, 0 draws, and 1 loss, totaling 18 points.
The victory is particularly significant for Mazatlán, as they navigate their final tournament in Liga MX. The team has faced considerable challenges this season, but the arrival of Sergio Bueno appears to be having a positive impact. The win against Pachuca represents a much-needed boost in morale and a potential turning point for the club.
Minutos de Menores Compliance
Both Mazatlán and Pachuca have reportedly had little difficulty meeting the Liga MX requirement for minutes played by players with age restrictions. According to ESPN, both clubs have efficiently accumulated the necessary playing time for their younger players, demonstrating a commitment to developing talent within the league.
Match Details and Lineups
Mazatlán FC Starting XI: Ricardo Rodríguez, Lucas Merolla, Facundo Almada, Jair Díaz, Sebastian Santos, Josue Ovalle, Mauro Laínez, Said Godínez, José Esquivel, Mauro Zaleta, Édgar Bárcenas, Dudu Teodora.
Pachuca Starting XI: Carlos Moreno, Jair Díaz, Lucas Merolla, Facundo Almada, Sebastian Santos, Josue Ovalle, Mauro Laínez, Said Godínez, José Esquivel, Mauro Zaleta, Édgar Bárcenas, Dudu Teodora.
Substitutes: Both teams made substitutions throughout the match to adjust their tactics and manage player fatigue. Mazatlán brought on Iván González, Ramiro Franco, Gabriel López, Anwar Ben Rhouma Torres, Billy Arce, Ángel Saavedra, and Víctor Alcaráz, while Pachuca utilized Jesús Hernández and Brian Rubio.
Key Stats
The match statistics, as reported by ESPN, reveal Pachuca’s dominance in possession with 67% compared to Mazatlán’s 33%. However, Mazatlán was more efficient in their attacking opportunities, with 4 shots on goal to Pachuca’s 4, despite having fewer overall shot attempts (13 for Mazatlán, 20 for Pachuca). Ricardo Rodríguez made 5 saves for Mazatlán, while Carlos Moreno made 3 saves for Pachuca.
The referee for the match was Mario Terrazas Chávez.
Mazatlán’s victory provides a temporary reprieve from their struggles and offers a glimmer of hope for the remainder of the Clausura 2026 tournament. The team will require to build on this momentum and continue to fight for points as they face a challenging schedule ahead. Pachuca, despite the loss, remains a strong contender in the league and will look to bounce back in their next match.
The next match for Mazatlán is scheduled for March 6, 2026, against Toluca. Pachuca will face Tijuana on March 7, 2026. Fans can find updated schedules and results on the official Liga MX website.
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