The 2026 Apertura couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start for Pumas. At the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, where fans were brimming with excitement for Esteban Solari’s debut as head coach, the blue-and-yellows were soundly defeated by a Pachuca side that dominated the match with a 3-0 victory, making it clear that they enter the tournament hungry for revenge and intent on competing for the top spots once again.
The Tuzos put on a solid performance from start to finish. Organized on defense, incisive on offense, and capitalizing on their opponent’s mistakes, the team from Hidalgo silenced Ciudad Universitaria and kicked off the championship with a performance that confirms the team’s current strong form.
Pachuca struck first and never relinquished control
The first goal came in the 21st minute thanks to Elías Montiel, who took advantage of a defensive lapse to open the scoring and put the home team on the back foot. The goal completely changed the course of the match, as Pumas had to push their lines forward, leaving spaces that the visitors knew how to exploit.
Just eleven minutes later, the experienced Salomón Rondón stepped up, extending the lead with a precise shot and emerging as the star of the afternoon. With the score at 2-0, the Tuzos controlled the pace of the game and forced the Pumas to chase the ball for much of the match.
Rondón sealed the rout
Although Pumas tried to mount a comeback in the second half, their lack of offensive clarity and Pachuca’s defensive discipline prevented any chance of that happening.
In the 80th minute, Salomón Rondón found the back of the net once again to complete his brace and seal the final 3-0 score, a result that reflected the Hidalgo-based team’s superiority throughout the 90 minutes.
A debut to forget for Esteban Solari
The match was also marked by Esteban Solari’s reunion with Pachuca, the club he managed before taking on the challenge with Pumas.
However, the Argentine coach had a difficult afternoon. His team showed little creativity on offense, struggled constantly on defense, and never found a way to stop the Tuzos’ collective play. The frustration was evident at the end of the match, when Solari was even sent off after the final whistle.
Pachuca starts strong; Pumas raise concerns
For Pachuca, the victory means more than just three points. After being eliminated by the “Universitarios” in the 2026 Clausura semifinals, the Tuzos got their revenge with a convincing performance that has their fans hopeful for the rest of the season.
In contrast, Pumas will need to work quickly to correct the flaws on display in their performance. The loss raised concerns not only about their team play but also about their lack of decisiveness and defensive lapses that led to the lopsided defeat.
The 2026 Apertura is just beginning, but while Pachuca sent a message of strength from the very first matchday, the Pumas will have to react as soon as possible if they want to put this bitter start to the tournament behind them.
