If you just glance at the history of Tigres UANL vs. Mazatlán Femenil, you might think it’s just another "David vs. Goliath" story that usually ends with Goliath winning by five goals. Honestly, you wouldn't be entirely wrong. Looking back at the Apertura 2025 clash where Las Amazonas cruised to a 5-0 victory at the Volcán, the gap between the two projects felt like a canyon. But soccer is weird. As we move deeper into the Clausura 2026 season, something is shifting in the air at El Encanto.
Mazatlán isn't the same "easy three points" they were two years ago. They’ve started this year with a grit that’s actually caught a few people off guard. Winning their first two games of the 2026 campaign? That's not something the Cañoneras do often. Meanwhile, Tigres continues to be, well, Tigres—a relentless winning machine led by Pedro Martínez Losa that treats anything less than a trophy as a failure.
The Historic Dominance of Las Amazonas
Let’s be real for a second. The numbers are staggering. In their last 10 meetings, Tigres has won nine times and drawn once. They’ve scored 44 goals while only conceding five. That is a goal differential that usually belongs in a video game, not a professional top-flight league.
On March 17, 2025, Tigres put seven past Mazatlán without breaking a sweat. It was one of those nights where everything Lizbeth "La Maga" Ovalle touched turned to gold. Then came the August 1, 2025 match. Jennifer Hermoso, the Spanish World Cup winner, basically ran the show, scoring from the spot and assisting Diana Ordóñez for the second. By the time Basti Delgado accidentally turned the ball into her own net and "La Bombi" Maria Sánchez added a fifth, the game had long been over.
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Tigres plays a brand of football that is suffocating. They don't just want to win; they want to own every blade of grass. With a roster featuring the likes of Greta Espinoza anchoring the back and Maricarmen Reyes pulling strings in the middle, they have a depth that Mazatlán has historically struggled to match.
Why Mazatlán Femenil is Finally Finding Their Feet
You’ve gotta give credit to the coastal squad. After a brutal 2025 where they finished dead last in the Apertura standings with a -49 goal difference, something clicked. Maybe it was the fresh air of the new year, or maybe the tactical adjustments finally took hold.
Starting the Clausura 2026 with a 3-2 thriller over FC Juárez was a statement. Then they followed it up by beating Santos Laguna 3-1 at home. Seeing Taiwo Busirat Lawal bag a brace in that match was a revelation. She’s got this physical presence that gives defenders nightmares, and alongside Yoselyn López, she’s turning Mazatlán into a genuine threat on the counter-attack.
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Basically, the "Cañoneras" have stopped playing like they’re afraid to lose and started playing like they have nothing to lose. That makes them dangerous. While the 2025 stats show they conceded 58 goals in 17 games—a number that’s frankly hard to look at—their early 2026 form suggests they’ve finally tightened the bolts on their defense.
Key Players to Watch in the Next Clash
- Jennifer Hermoso (Tigres): She is the heartbeat. Her vision in the final third is still arguably the best in the league.
- Taiwo Busirat Lawal (Mazatlán): The new focal point. If Mazatlán is going to pull off an upset, it’ll be through her strength and finishing.
- Maria Sánchez (Tigres): "La Bombi" brings that NWSL experience and a left foot that can pinpoint a cross from anywhere.
- Sandra Nabweteme (Santos/Mazatlán Context): While she’s a threat for opponents, Mazatlán’s ability to neutralize players of her caliber recently shows their defensive growth.
The Tactical Gap and the Volcán Factor
Playing at the Estadio Universitario is a nightmare for visiting teams. The "Incomparables" create an atmosphere that feels heavy. For a team like Mazatlán, which has historically struggled with "stage fright" in Monterrey, the first 15 minutes are always the most critical.
Tigres likes to use the full width of the pitch. They’ll have Jimena López and Anika Rodríguez pushing high, essentially acting as wingers, which forces Mazatlán into a low block. In the past, this led to a total collapse. However, in the 2026 season start, Mazatlán has shown they can actually keep their shape under pressure. They aren't just booting the ball away; they’re looking for Lawal to hold it up and bring others into play.
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What Most Fans Get Wrong About This Matchup
People often think tigres uanl vs. mazatlán femenil is a foregone conclusion. "Just bet on the over and go home," they say. But that mindset ignores the evolution of the Liga MX Femenil. The league is getting more competitive every single window.
The gap between the "Big Four" (Tigres, Monterrey, América, Chivas) and the rest is shrinking, albeit slowly. Mazatlán’s recent two-game win streak—their longest in years—proves that the bottom of the table is rising. They might not be title contenders yet, but they are no longer a guaranteed three points for the giants.
Actionable Insights for the Next Meeting
If you’re watching or betting on the next match between these two, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the First 20 Minutes: If Tigres doesn't score early, they tend to get a bit impatient and leave gaps in the midfield for counter-attacks.
- Monitor the Rotations: Pedro Martínez Losa often rotates his squad because of the heavy schedule. If Hermoso or Ovalle starts on the bench, Mazatlán’s odds of a result skyrocket.
- Check the Set Pieces: Mazatlán has improved significantly in their aerial duels. In 2025, they were leaking goals on corners; in 2026, they’ve actually used them as an offensive weapon.
- Look at the Goal Spread: While a 5-0 win was the norm in 2025, the 2026 version of Mazatlán is much more likely to keep things respectable, perhaps a 2-0 or 3-1 result.
The rivalry—if you can call it that yet—is moving from a slaughter to a chess match. Tigres is still the Grandmaster, but Mazatlán has finally figured out how to move their pawns.
To get the most out of the next fixture, you should track the live lineups on the official Liga MX Femenil app exactly 60 minutes before kickoff, as Tigres' late-game substitutions often shift the goal tally in the final 10 minutes. Comparing the heat maps of Mazatlán’s wing-backs from their recent win against Santos versus their last blowout against Tigres will show you exactly how much more disciplined they’ve become in holding their defensive line.