It’s one of those matchups that looks lopsided on a spreadsheet but turns into a street fight the second the whistle blows. When you talk about Mazatlan vs Club América, you’re talking about a David vs. Goliath narrative that the Liga MX scriptwriters seem to love. On paper, América is the titan with the trophy room that needs its own zip code. Mazatlán? They’re the "Cañoneros," the purple-clad disruptors from the coast who have basically been trying to find their footing since they took over Morelia’s spot.
But soccer isn't played on a spreadsheet.
Honestly, if you watched their most recent clash on October 25, 2025, at Estadio El Encanto, you saw exactly why this fixture is becoming a "trap game" for the big boys from Mexico City. It wasn't a blowout. It wasn't a clinic. It was a 2-2 draw that felt, for André Jardine and his squad, like a massive punch to the gut.
The Chaos at El Encanto: A Tactical Mess
América went into that October match riding high. They had 30 points. They had a goal difference that made the rest of the league look like amateurs. Then they stepped onto the pitch in Mazatlán and things got weird.
Jardine tried to get cute with the lineup. We saw Alexis Gutiérrez playing left-back—which, let’s be real, was a disaster—and Miguel Vázquez acting as a third center-back. It felt like América was trying to solve a Rubik's cube that wasn't even scrambled. Mazatlán didn't care about the experiments. They sat back, waited, and pounced.
Kevin Álvarez gave América the lead early, just nine minutes in. You figured, "Okay, here we go. Another 5-0 drubbing like the one we saw in April." But Mazatlán has this weird resilience lately. Mauro Zaleta leveled it up at the half-hour mark, and suddenly the "best team in Mexico" looked human.
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The second half was just a shooting gallery. América had nearly 70% of the ball. They took 23 shots. 23! And yet, they only managed to find the net once more through Brian Rodríguez. Mazatlán, with only four total shots the entire game, walked away with a point. That's the beauty and the absolute frustration of this specific rivalry.
Why the Gap is Closing (Sorta)
Look, I'm not going to sit here and tell you Mazatlán is on the same level as Las Águilas. They aren't. As of early 2026, Mazatlán is struggling near the bottom of the table, sitting in 18th place in the Clausura standings with three losses in their first three games. They've conceded nine goals in that span. It’s ugly.
But against América, the motivation changes.
The "Odiame Mas" Factor
Everyone wants to beat América. It’s the "Odiame Mas" (Hate me more) mentality that the club embraces. For a team like Mazatlán, a result against América is a season-saver. It keeps the fans coming to El Encanto.
Injury Woes and the "Infirmary"
América’s biggest enemy right now isn't Mazatlán; it's the training room. Heading into the early months of 2026, the squad is basically a walking hospital.
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- Henry Martín: The captain is dealing with recurring muscular issues.
- Alejandro Zendejas: Sidelined.
- Álvaro Fidalgo: He’s been the heartbeat of the midfield, but he’s been hobbled.
- Érick Sánchez: Still trying to get back to 100%.
When you take the spine out of a team, even a giant like América starts to wobble. This is why the 2-2 draws happen. This is why the fans are getting nervous despite the history.
Head-to-Head: The Numbers Don't Lie
If you’re a betting person, the historical data usually points one way. In their last 10 meetings, América has dominated. We’re talking about an 8-1-1 record in favor of the Coapa side.
| Date | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 24, 2025 | Mazatlan 2-2 América | Estadio El Encanto |
| Apr 19, 2025 | América 5-0 Mazatlan | Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes |
| Nov 1, 2024 | Mazatlan 0-5 América | Estadio El Encanto |
| Feb 21, 2024 | América 2-2 Mazatlan | Estadio Azteca |
Notice a pattern? When América is "on," they put up five. When they're distracted or rotating the squad for the CONCACAF Champions Cup or the FIFA Club World Cup, they let Mazatlán hang around.
The Saint-Maximin X-Factor
One of the most interesting developments in the recent Mazatlan vs Club América saga is the arrival of high-profile talent. Allan Saint-Maximin joined the fray and, honestly, he’s been a spark plug. In that October draw, he came on as a sub and created three clear chances in about 20 minutes.
His pace is terrifying for a Mazatlán defense that, frankly, isn't the fastest in Liga MX. If Jardine starts him alongside a healthy Rodrigo Aguirre or Brian Rodríguez, Mazatlán’s backline—usually led by guys like Bryan Colula—is going to have a long night.
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What to Watch for in the Next Clash
The two sides are scheduled to meet again on March 15, 2026, at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes. This is a home game for América, and historically, that’s bad news for the visitors.
- The Altitude Factor: Teams coming from the coast (like Mazatlán) always struggle with the oxygen levels in Mexico City. They usually gape out by the 70th minute.
- Squad Depth: By March, América should (hopefully) have Martín and Zendejas back. If they do, the tactical "disaster" of the last game won't repeat.
- Mazatlán's Counter: Expect Mazatlán to play a "low block." They'll park the bus, leave one striker up top, and pray for a set-piece goal. It worked in October. Can it work twice?
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following this rivalry, stop looking at the overall standings. They’re deceiving.
- Watch the Injury Report: If Fidalgo and Henry Martín are out, the "Over/Under" on goals becomes a gamble. América struggles to finish without their primary triggers.
- Betting Trends: Historically, this fixture produces goals. The last five games have seen an average of over 3.5 goals. If you're looking at the betting lines, the "Over" is usually a safe-ish bet, even if Mazatlán doesn't contribute much to the tally.
- Live Betting Strategy: Watch the first 15 minutes. América tends to press incredibly high at home. If they don't score early, the frustration builds, and that's when Mazatlán's odds for a "Double Chance" (Win or Draw) start to look tasty.
The gap between the top and bottom in Liga MX is supposedly widening, but as Mazatlán proved in their last meeting with the giants, anyone can be a hero for 90 minutes. Keep an eye on the lineup announcements an hour before kickoff; that’s where this game is usually won or lost.
Check the official Liga MX app for the latest disciplinary reports before the March match, as yellow card accumulation for América's mid-block could open up the lanes Mazatlán needs to replicate their 2-2 shocker.