When Monterrey hosted Club America at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Nuevo León, on November 26, 2025, the atmosphere crackled with playoff tension — and the home team delivered a knockout punch. Monterrey defeated their archrivals 2-0, sending shockwaves through Liga MX and putting Club America on the brink of elimination just one game into the quarterfinals. The match kicked off at 3:05 UTC on Thursday, November 27, but for fans in North America, it was already Wednesday night — 10:10 PM Eastern, 7:10 PM Pacific — and the stakes felt like a final.
How the Match Unfolded
The game began with both sides cautious, but Monterrey’s midfield control was undeniable. By the 26th minute, Lichnovsky picked up his first yellow, setting a tone of physicality that would define the evening. The tension spiked again in the 37th minute with a third caution of the match — a sign that tempers were fraying under pressure. Then, in the dying seconds of first-half stoppage time — 45’+3’ — Sergio Canales did what he does best: turned a half-chance into pure magic. A curling left-footed rocket from 22 yards out flew past the keeper and into the top corner. Fans in the stands erupted. Social media exploded. "A banger," one live commentator called it. And it was.
Monterrey didn’t sit back. They pressed. They hunted. And in the 70th minute, they doubled the lead. The scorer wasn’t named in most reports, but replays showed a slick one-two between Ó. Torres and L. Ocampos before a well-placed finish from a Monterrey forward — likely Fidel Ambriz, who’d already scored in their 2-2 draw earlier this season. Club America, who finished fourth in the regular season with 34 points (10W-4D-3L), looked shell-shocked. Their star forward G. Berterame, with 9 goals in 17 matches, was barely a presence. B. Rodríguez, their other key attacker, was marked out of the game entirely.
Why This Loss Hurts So Much
For Club America, this wasn’t just a defeat — it was a collapse. They’d lost their final regular-season match 2-0 to Toluca, and now, after a dominant home record all season, they’re staring down a two-goal deficit on the road. The pressure isn’t just tactical; it’s psychological. They’ve never lost a playoff series to Monterrey in recent memory. But now, with the second leg at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes on November 29, they need to score at least three goals without reply — a near-impossible task against a Monterrey side that’s conceded just once in their last five home games.
Meanwhile, Monterrey’s midfield engine — Sergio Canales (9 goals, 14 matches) and Ó. Torres (15 assists in 4 matches) — has become the most dangerous duo in Liga MX. And rumors are swirling that Sergio Ramos — yes, that Sergio Ramos — is in talks to extend his contract through 2026, a move that could signal a long-term rebuild around veteran leadership.
Where to Watch the Second Leg
For U.S. fans, the second leg on November 29 at 5:00 PM ET will be broadcast on Univision, TUDN, and Vix Premium Deportes. DirecTV Stream subscribers can catch it via the fubo Latino Package ($33/month). In Mexico, Canal 5, TUDN, and ViX will carry the match live. International viewers are advised to use a VPN like NordVPN to access regional streams securely — a workaround many fans rely on when official broadcasts aren’t available.
For those comparing costs, MLS Season Pass is $14.99/month, ESPN+ is $10.99, and OneFootball Premium clocks in at $7.99 — but none offer the full Liga MX package like ViX or TUDN. If you’re serious about Mexican football, the fubo Latino package remains the most comprehensive option.
History Between the Rivals
This isn’t the first time these two have clashed in high-stakes drama. Back on September 20, 2025, Monterrey hosted Club America at Estadio BBVA and led 2-0 through goals from Fidel Ambriz and Sergio Canales. But América fought back with late strikes from Ramon Juarez and Rodrigo Aguirre to salvage a 2-2 draw. That result felt like a moral victory for América. This one? Not even close.
Monterrey’s 4-2 loss to Chivas in their final regular-season game raised questions about their form. But the playoff intensity? That’s a different beast. Their defense — anchored by veteran center-backs — held firm against América’s best attacks. And their counterattacks? Surgical.
What’s Next?
The second leg on November 29 looms large. If Club America can’t score three goals, their season ends. If they do? The series goes to extra time — and possibly penalties. But given Monterrey’s home dominance and América’s recent struggles, the odds favor the Rayados. Still, in Liga MX, anything can happen. Especially when pride is on the line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Monterrey manage to shut out Club America despite América’s strong regular season?
Monterrey’s midfield trio — Canales, Torres, and Ocampos — overwhelmed América’s defensive structure, forcing errors and limiting passing lanes. América’s forwards, including top scorer G. Berterame, were marked tightly and rarely received clean balls in dangerous areas. Monterrey’s backline, led by experienced defenders, stayed compact and cleared every cross, while goalkeeper Luis Malagón made three crucial saves — including a stoppage-time denial on a Berterame header.
What are Club America’s realistic chances of coming back in the second leg?
Historically, only two teams in Liga MX history have overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit in knockout play since 2015. Club America needs to score three goals without reply — a feat that requires not just offensive firepower but also defensive recklessness. With their key attackers struggling and Monterrey’s home record at Estadio BBVA being nearly flawless (11 wins, 1 draw in 12 games), the probability is less than 15%, according to Opta’s predictive model.
Who are the key players to watch in the second leg?
For Monterrey, keep an eye on Sergio Canales — he’s scored in both meetings this season — and Ó. Torres, whose 15 assists in just four playoff matches make him the league’s most dangerous playmaker. For América, G. Berterame must find form, and young midfielder C. Vázquez (7 goals, 4 assists) may be pushed forward to create chaos.
Why is the Estadio BBVA such a fortress for Monterrey?
The stadium’s high altitude (550 meters above sea level), packed crowds (over 53,000 fans), and intense acoustics create a hostile environment for visitors. Teams that win there often cite psychological pressure as much as tactical superiority. Since 2023, Monterrey has won 83% of their home matches in Liga MX playoffs, and only one team has scored more than one goal against them in Guadalupe during that span.
Could Sergio Ramos actually extend his contract with Monterrey?
Yes — and it’s more likely than it sounds. Though he’s 38, Ramos has been a locker room leader and occasional goal-scorer (3 goals this season). Monterrey’s management sees him as a bridge between youth and experience, especially with young defenders like J. Gómez emerging. An extension through 2026 would align with their goal of building a dynasty around Canales and Torres, not just chasing short-term wins.