Liga MX Clausura: James Rodríguez Inspires Debut Win | OneFootball

Another round of Clausura matches came and went this weekend as we saw high-profile debuts were handed out with other noticeable absentees due to El Tri's involvement in South American friendlies and Club América's trip to face Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.

Thursday 16th January 2025

Las Águilas flew to Vegas for a weekend friendly against Inter Miami, which meant their matchday two clash with Tijuana was pushed to Thursday night. With many of the stars from their 2024 Apertura triumph heading stateside, André Jardine fielded a youthful and inexperienced side. That inexperience showed early on as Los Xolos took the lead through Jesús Hernández. However, América managed to salvage a point just after the hour mark, thanks to Esteban Lozano, who made an immediate impact by scoring within a minute of replacing Diego Arriaga. The draw keeps Tijuana still searching for their first win, while América remain unbeaten in their opening two fixtures.

Friday 17th January 2025

Puebla 1 vs 2 San LuisTigres 2 vs 1 MazatlánNecaxa 3 vs 2 Chivas

Pablo Guede's Puebla got off to a flyer after stealing a point in Monterrey by scoring six minutes into the meeting with San Luis. Facundo Waller gave the home side the lead but Sebastien Lamonge made it level going into the break with his second goal in as many games. The match seemed destined for a draw until Rodrigo Dourado scored a last-grasped winner for the away side.

Tigres are the only side to maintain a 100% win record after two games, but fans had to wait until the 70' minute for the game to come to life. Jesús Garza opened the scoring for Los Tigres before Hugo González doubled the lead for the home team. Mazatlán fought back with a goal through Lucas Merolla but it was not enough.

Necaxa got their first win of the campaign in a dramatic five-goal encounter with Chivas. Another game that waited until the second half as the visitors took the lead but pulled back 12 minutes later. Necaxa turned the game on its head in the 77' minute and doubled their lead as Ricardo Monreal sealed the win but not before Chivas pulled one back through a Roberto Alvarado penalty.

Saturday 18th January 2025

FC Juárez 1 vs 0 Cruz AzulToluca 1 vs 1 MonterreyAtlas 1 vs 2 León

The weekend's biggest shock came up north, where José Luis Rodríguez netted the only goal of the game to hand La Máquina a rare defeat—having lost just once during the Apertura regular season. Martín Anselmi gave new winter signing Jesús Orozco his debut, but the fresh addition couldn't prevent the setback.

Toluca and Monterrey faced off in the big game this weekend, and it all came down to two standout moments. Helio Junio unleashed a stunning long-range strike that left Esteban Andrada with no chance, an unbelievable goal to put Toluca ahead. But Los Rayados hit back early in the second half with a moment of individual brilliance, as Sergio Canales weaved through the Toluca defence to slot home the equaliser.

All eyes were on the Estadio Jalisco on Saturday night as James Rodríguez prepared for his highly anticipated León debut. Starting on the bench, the Colombian entered the fray for the final 30 minutes with Atlas leading 1-0. Pushing for an equaliser, Rodríguez made an almost immediate impact, driving into the box before being brought down by international teammate, Camilo Vargas. León were awarded a penalty, which Adonis Frías coolly dispatched before Jhonder Cadíz sealed the comeback with a composed late finish.

Atlas v Leon - Torneo Clausura 2025 Liga MX | Jam Media/GettyImages

Sunday 19th January 2025

Querétaro vs Pumas

Los Gallos secured a first win under newly-appointed head coach Benjamín Mora with a home victory over Pumas. The visitors struck first through Nathan Silva’s early goal, but Querétaro hit back before the break with a well-taken effort from Pablo Barrera. The hosts came out flying in the second half, as Barrera bagged his second of the night before Francisco Venegas added a third just four minutes later. However, Venegas quickly turned from hero to zero, picking up a second yellow card just two minutes after his goal. Despite enjoying a man advantage for the final 40 minutes, Pumas could only muster a consolation goal, with Robert Ergas netting his first for the club.

Monday 21st January 2025

Pachuca 2 vs 1 Santos Laguna

Pachuca kicked off their season with a win, despite the departure of Nelson Deossa to Monterrey. Los Tuzos were given a major boost as Santos found themselves in trouble, with Tahiel Jímenez and Anderson Santamaría both turning the ball into their own net. To make matters worse for the visitors, Cristian Dájome saw red with a straight dismissal. Santos pulled one back late on through a José Macías penalty, but the early setbacks proved too costly, handing Pachuca all three points.