Club América Beats Puebla 2-1 at Estadio Azteca, Extending Winning Streak

Club América Beats Puebla 2-1 at Estadio Azteca, Extending Winning Streak

When Club América faced Club Puebla at Estadio Azteca during the Liga MX Apertura Round 14Estadio Azteca, the home side emerged 2‑1 winners. Brian Rodríguez converted a 67th‑minute penalty, while late‑stage substitute Ramón Juárez added an eighth‑minute stoppage‑time strike. Emiliano Gómez had briefly put Puebla back in the game after scoring in the 52nd minute. The result kept América perched in third place with 30 points, while Puebla lingered near the bottom of the table with just eight.

Historical backdrop and season‑long narratives

Both clubs have a long‑standing rivalry that stretches back decades. In the 44 official meetings before this clash, América logged 23 home victories, Puebla managed six away wins, and the remaining 15 ended in draws. The goal tally has heavily favored the capital side—82 goals to Puebla’s 49—illustrating why Azteca has traditionally been a fortress for the "Aztecas".

Going into October, América sat comfortably in the Liga MX Apertura’s upper tier, riding a three‑game winning streak that lifted them to third place. Their record of nine wins, three draws and two losses reflected a side finally clicking after a shaky start to the campaign. By contrast, Puebla’s 2‑2‑10 ledger placed them 18th, well inside the relegation zone. Their recent form had been described by Scores24.live as "struggling to break out of a slump"—a sentiment echoed by fans chanting "¡Vuelve la gloria!" on the stands.

Match‑day details: line‑ups, key moments and statistics

Both managers fielded near‑full‑strength squads. América’s starting XI featured goalkeeper Ángel Malagón, a backline of Miguel Vázquez, Israel Reyes, Cristian Borja and Kevin Álvarez. The midfield was marshaled by Rodríguez, Alan Cervantes and Álvaro Fidalgo, while the attack boasted Rodrigo Aguirre, Allan Saint‑Maximin and Alexis Gutiérrez.

Puebla’s line‑up started with veteran goalkeeper Raúl Castillo, defenders Miguel Andrade and Jesús Gallardo, plus a midfield anchored by Luis Chávez. Forward Emiliano Gómez earned the first‑half pen‑spot of the season.

The opening half was cagey, with América dominating possession (59% to Puebla’s 41%). Yet it was Puebla who broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute: a swift counter‑attack saw Gómez slip the ball past Malagón after a well‑timed through pass.

América responded with pressure. Rodríguez’s equaliser came from the spot after a handball in the box. The penalty was coolly dispatched, sending the Azteca crowd into a roar. The game seemed settled until stoppage‑time drama: substitute Juárez surged forward, received a low cross, and smashed it home in the 98th minute, sealing a dramatic comeback.

Disciplinary notes were sparse—only a late yellow card for Puebla’s Castillo in the 92nd minute. Corner kicks favored América 7‑6, and the match produced a total of three goals, matching the season’s average of 2.98 goals per game across both teams.

Reactions from clubs, players and fans

América’s coach, Santiago Solari, praised his side’s resilience: "We knew we had to stay composed after conceding, and the boys showed why we’re contenders." Rodríguez, the penalty taker, added, "It was a tricky spot, but the team backed me, and that’s what matters."

Puebla’s manager, Jorge Almirón, remained defiant despite the loss: "We’ll learn from this; the league is a marathon, not a sprint. Our fans deserve better, and we’ll deliver it next week."

Fans on social media split their sentiments. América supporters flooded Twitter with #VamosAmérica, celebrating the win as evidence of a title push. Puebla fans, meanwhile, expressed frustration but also hope, using #PueblaResurge to rally around the team’s effort.

Implications for the Liga MX Apertura standings

With the three points, América leapt to third place, now just two points shy of the leaders, Club León. Their goal difference improved to +15, bolstering their case for a Liguilla seed. The momentum could prove decisive as the league heads into the final stretch of the Apertura.

Puebla, unfortunately, stayed anchored in 18th place. Their eight points leave them ten behind the safety zone, meaning they must win their next two fixtures and hope for slip‑ups from teams above them to avoid a relegation battle.

What’s next for both clubs?

América’s next challenge is an away trip to Monterrey on October 28, where they will face a high‑pressing side that has already secured a win against León. A positive result could see them break into the top two.

Puebla, on the other hand, host Tijuana in their next round. Coach Almirón has hinted at a tactical shift, potentially deploying a more aggressive 3‑5‑2 formation to generate additional offensive threat.

Broader context: Liga MX’s two‑tournament format

The Apertura, meaning “opening”, runs from July to December and is followed by the Clausura (“closing”) in the new year. Each tournament comprises 17 rounds, after which the top eight teams qualify for the Liguilla playoffs. The points accumulated in both Apertura and Clausura also feed into the relegation table, calculated over a three‑year average.

América’s steady climb this Apertura could cushion them against a potential slip‑up in the Clausura, while Puebla’s current plight underscores how quickly a team can find itself fighting for survival under the average‑points system.