The match of week 8 between Pachuca and América didn’t disappoint. Despite missing key players, both squads played a fun game full of goals.
The game started with a bang!
Pachuca’s starting center backs Annia Mejía and Yanelly Farías were unavailable for the match. While for Club América, neither Scarlett Camberos nor top goalscorer Kiana Palacios were available. These four absences didn’t go unnoticed by both teams’ systems of play but maybe it was Tuzas who suffered more from it.
Not even 20 seconds into the game América’s Natalia Mauleón opened the score. She played a one-two with Katty Martínez and goalkeeper Renata Masciarelli failed to stop the shot. The center backs left too much space between them, which helped Martínez to find herself unmarked to pass the ball with one touch.
This wasn’t the brightest game for the goalkeepers, starting with Masciarelli. She should’ve stopped Mauleón’ shot but her hands were not firm enough and let it pass inside the goal.
Five minutes later Tuzas equalized through Jennifer Hermoso, who finished with a lobbed shot. For sure Hermoso’ shot was great but Karla Nieto’s long ball to Alice Soto, who assisted the Spaniard, was great too. For sure, the Águilas’ defense could’ve done more to stop Jennifer from shooting.
Some minutes later América’s goalkeeper Itzel Gonzalez was instrumental to stop Charlyn Corral. The striker went on a 1 v 1 with the goalkeeper who sent the ball to the corner. Nonetheless, she made a terrible mistake after that great save when she couldn’t get ahold of the ball and let Karen Díaz score.
América’s equalizer was scored only six minutes after that. Kim Rodríguez sent a cross to the far post that connected with Martínez. Her powerful header beat Masciarelli and the score was 2-2. It was an important goal, not only for the team but also for her, who was given the starting position due to Palacios being unavailable.
Katty proved to be key again when, three minutes later, she got a PK that Andrea Pereira converted. Centerback Karen Díaz was involved in América’s latest goals. First, by giving Martínez too much space and second, by fouling her inside the box.
América almost put another in near minute 40 when Enciso sent a service to the far post. Masciarelli failed in grabbing the ball and it went loose right to Nikki Hernández. She shot but the goalkeeper did well this time and grabbed it.
Change in the game’s dynamic
Starting the second half, Marta Cox came into the game for Alice Soto and Pachuca lost some sharpness in the attack, which was a shame because they needed at least a goal to get a point out of this match.
Tuzas had its moments and opportunities but they just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net. Andrea Pereira had a lot to do with this.
They had some bad fortune too. Like in minute 51 when, after a corner, Jennnifer Hermoso hit the post with a powerful header.
Implications
No doubt this was week’s 8 game and it was a preview of what Liguilla might be like. The three points obtained by América helped them to leapfrog Pachuca in the table and now Angel Villacampa’s squad sits third while Tuzas is fourth. In addition, they’re still unbeaten.
Meanwhile, the three top goalscorers in the league come from these teams. Charlyn Corral is still on top with 10 goals but now her teammate Jennifer Hermoso sits second with 9. Kiana Palacios, who’s injured and couldn’t play, shares second place with the Spanish international.
And speaking of goalscorers, this match showed how much weight Katty Martínez can have in a game by being involved in all three goals scored by América. In the first goal, she made an assist for Mauleón. Then, she was fouled inside the box and the referee granted the PK to her team. Finally, it was her the one who scored the third goal that sealed the victory.
Week 9 will be another test for Tuzas, who will have to play in the always difficult BBVA Stadium and face Rayadas. Eva Espejo’s team is at the top of the table and has won all its matches so far. Will Pachuca be able to end their unbeaten strike?
