Pachuca claimed a critical 1-0 victory over Necaxa in Liga MX Apertura’s twelfth round, thanks to a moment of brilliance from Luis Quiñones, deepening Necaxa’s frustrations in front of their home crowd at Estadio Victoria. This closely contested affair offered drama, tactical tension, and a solitary goal that shaped the match’s narrative.

Necaxa, under Fernando Rubén Gago, enjoyed the lion’s share of possession (56%), pressed aggressively from the start, and produced 15 shots—but with only four on target, their finishing repeatedly let them down. The hosts pushed for an equalizer throughout the evening, their attacks often culminating in scrappy efforts that Pachuca’s defense, marshaled by Jaime Arturo Lozano Espín, consistently repelled.

The pivotal moment arrived in the 34th minute. Pachuca’s Alexis Aceves surged forward and picked out Quiñones, whose low drive beat Necaxa’s keeper for the game’s only goal. As highlighted in TUDN’s official recap (subscriber base: well above 50,000), Quiñones’ strike came shortly after Cambindo’s yellow card for Necaxa—a sign of mounting pressure and nerves on the hosts’ side.

Defensive grit defined Pachuca’s evening. Though outshot (15 shots to just one on target), they held firm, absorbing waves of Necaxa attacks. Their own keeper made four crucial saves, including a reflex stop from Agustín Palavecino’s stinging drive in the second half—a moment captured in TUDN’s highlight montage. Necaxa forced eight corners and pushed forward relentlessly, but discipline slipped, picking up four yellow cards and seeing tempers flare, most notably in a heated exchange between Lozano and Pedraza at the 72nd minute.

Substitutions brought renewed energy, with Aceves making way after providing the key assist, and Idrissi and Kenedy entering to bolster Pachuca’s defensive lines in the second half. Necaxa responded with attacking substitutions of their own, but Pachuca’s resilience held firm.

As the final whistle blew, the statistics underscored Necaxa’s frustration: more possession, more shots, but zero goals. Pachuca, now steady in their climb up the table, showcased the value of clinical finishing and defensive resolve—qualities highlighted in TUDN’s extended recap videos, which also captured Quiñones’ near miss off the post, further illustrating his impact on the match.

With this result, Necaxa’s slide continues, putting coach Gago under growing scrutiny, while Pachuca leap towards the playoff spots, buoyed by a statement road win. For a full sequence of highlights and expert analysis from the night, TUDN’s official YouTube recaps are a must-watch for the Liga MX faithful.