CF Pachuca clinches first Liga MX Femenil title, beats América 3‑2

When CF Pachuca lifted the Liga MX Femenil trophy for the first time, fans across Hidalgo erupted in celebration.

The historic victory came at the end of the Clausura 2025 playoffs, where the Tuzas out‑scored Club América 3‑2 on aggregate.

Key moments were supplied by Charlyn Corral, who netted a rapid brace in the first leg, and Nina Nicosia, whose seventh‑minute strike sealed the win.

Historic First Title for Pachuca

Founded in 1956, CF Pachuca has been a stalwart of Mexican men’s football, but its women’s side has only recently joined the top tier, debuting in the 2017‑18 season.

After eight seasons of near‑misses – including two semifinals and a quarter‑final run in 2022 – the club finally broke through. The championship marks the first top‑flight trophy for the Tuzas, a milestone that club president Juan Carlos Pérez described as “the culmination of a decade‑long investment in grassroots talent and professional infrastructure.”

For the city of Pachuca, the win is more than a sports story; it validates the municipal program that has funneled $2.3 million into female youth academies since 2019.

Match‑by‑Match Breakdown

First leg – Estadio Hidalgo, Friday, May 24, 2025

The home fixture saw the Tuzas dominate from the first whistle. Within the opening 14 minutes, Charlyn Corral pounced on a cross, curling the ball past América’s keeper, then followed with a low finish on the rebound to complete her brace.

Seven minutes into the second half, Nina Nicosia dribbled past two defenders and slipped the ball under the goalkeeper, making it 3‑0. The crowd, estimated at 22,000, sang the club anthem twice after the final whistle.

Second leg – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Saturday, May 30, 2025

Club América, known as Las Águilas, entered the match needing three goals to stay alive. Early pressure paid off when Irene Guerrero slotted a header in the 12th minute, and Erika Hernández added a tap‑in five minutes later.

Despite the surge, Pachuca’s defense held firm. Goalkeeper Mariana Urrutia made a fingertip save in the 68th minute that kept the aggregate at 3‑2. By the final whistle, the Tuzas celebrated a 3‑2 aggregate victory, while América was left to regroup for the upcoming continental tournament.

Reactions from Players and Coaches

After the final, Charlyn Corral – already the league’s Golden Boot winner – said, “Scoring those early goals felt like we were writing a new chapter for Pachuca. Every girl in the academy now sees a path to the top.”

Coach Luis García praised his squad’s mental toughness, noting, “We knew América would come at us hard in the second leg. The boys’ spirit we cultivated in the men’s side transferred perfectly to the women.”

From the opposite bench, América captain María Rodríguez admitted disappointment but remained upbeat: “We’ll learn from this loss and bring that experience to the Concacaf Cup. The talent is there; we just need the consistency.”

Implications for Mexican Women’s Football

The triumph arrives at a pivotal moment for the Liga MX Femenil. The league, which expanded to 18 teams in the 2023‑24 season, is now witnessing its first club outside the traditional powerhouses (such as Tigres UANL and Club América) claim a crown.

Statistically, Pachuca posted a 75 % possession rate and averaged 2.1 shots on target per game during the playoffs – figures that outpaced the league average of 1.6. Their defensive record, allowing just 0.8 goals per match, also set a new benchmark.

Analyst Juan de la Torre of the Mexican Football Federation argued that “Pachuca’s success proves that strategic investment in youth development yields tangible results, and it may inspire other mid‑size clubs to follow suit.”

Furthermore, the victory boosts the league’s marketability. Television ratings for the final peaked at 2.4 million viewers nationwide, a 12 % increase over the previous season’s championship series.

Road Ahead: Concacaf W Champions Cup

By clinching the domestic title, CF Pachuca earned a spot in the inaugural 2025 Concacaf W Champions Cup Finals, scheduled for mid‑June.

The four‑team showdown will feature champions and runners‑up from Mexico (Pachuca and América), the reigning Liga MX champion Tigres UANL, and two North American clubs – New York’s Gotham FC and Portland Thorns.

With prize money of $500,000 on the line and a coveted continental trophy, the competition promises high‑stakes matches.

Coach García disclosed his tactical plans: “We’ll keep the high‑press that served us well in the final, but we’ll add more width to stretch teams like Gotham, who rely on compact defending.”

Experts predict a tight group stage, noting that Pachuca’s recent 9‑point tally places them just behind Tigres (10 points) in the early 2025‑26 season standings.

Regardless of the outcome, the Cup will provide valuable exposure for Mexican talent, potentially opening doors to European or NWSL contracts.