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Pachuca secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Pumas UNAM in Jornada 17 of the Liga MX Clausura 2026, strengthening their position in the playoff race with a hard-fought win at Estadio Hidalgo on Saturday evening.
The match, played before a crowd of approximately 22,400 spectators, saw Pachuca seize control early through goals from Venezuelan forward Jefferson Savarino and Mexican midfielder Luis Chávez, while Pumas managed a late consolation goal from Argentine striker Juan Ignacio Dinenno.
Pachuca Takes Early Lead Through Set-Piece Efficiency
Pachuca opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Savarino headed home a corner kick delivered by Chávez, marking his eighth goal of the season and showcasing the team’s effectiveness from dead-ball situations. The goal came after sustained pressure in Pumas’ defensive third, with Pachuca registering 62% possession in the opening 25 minutes.
Chávez doubled Pachuca’s lead just before the half-hour mark, converting a penalty kick after Pumas defender Lisandro Magallán was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box following a VAR review. The decision was upheld after an on-field review, with Chávez sending goalkeeper Julio González the wrong way to craft it 2-0 in the 28th minute.
Pumas Respond Late but Fall Short
Pumas showed improved urgency after the break, creating several chances through the midfield creativity of Rodrigo López and the pace of winger Nathan Silva. Still, Pachuca goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made key saves to deny López in the 55th and 63rd minutes, preserving the two-goal cushion.
The visitors finally broke through in the 82nd minute when Dinenno capitalized on a defensive lapse, latching onto a through ball from López and finishing low past Ustari to make it 2-1. Despite pushing for an equalizer in the final ten minutes, Pumas could not discover a second goal, registering only one shot on target after Dinenno’s goal.
Tactical Adjustments and Player Impact
Pachuca head coach Guillermo Almada made a halftime substitution, bringing on Colombian striker Jesús Ferreira for the weary Víctor Guzmán to add fresh legs up front. Ferreira nearly extended the lead in the 70th minute with a curling effort that forced González into a diving save.
For Pumas, head coach Antonio Mohamed introduced Argentine midfielder Mateo Klimowicz at halftime to increase creativity in central areas, a change that coincided with their improved second-half performance, though it came too late to overturn the deficit.
The win moves Pachuca to 28 points from 17 matches, placing them temporarily fourth in the Liga MX Clausura 2026 standings, one point behind third-place Tigres UANL and two points clear of fifth-place Monterrey. Pumas remain on 22 points in ninth place, needing victories in their final two regular-season matches to have a realistic chance of qualifying for the Liguilla.
Pachuca will next face Atlético San Luis away on April 29, while Pumas host Guadalajara in a high-stakes Jornada 18 fixture on May 2, both matches critical for postseason aspirations.
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