In a tense encounter at Estadio Corregidora, Club Queretaro edged out Mazatlán 1-0 on November 2, 2025, thanks to a second-half goal from Ali Ávila. This victory marks a crucial moment for Queretaro as they look to climb out of the lower depths of Liga MX standings.
The match unfolded with both teams aware of the stakes involved. With just one point separating them in the league table, every moment mattered. Queretaro, sitting in 15th place with 14 points, was desperate for a win after a mixed bag of results that included a recent loss to Santos Laguna. Meanwhile, Mazatlán, languishing in 16th with only 13 points, sought to build on their recent draws against Club America and Santos Laguna.
The first half saw both teams struggle to find their rhythm. Queretaro had moments of promise but failed to convert opportunities into goals. Mazatlán's defense held firm under pressure, showcasing their ability to absorb attacks while looking for chances on the counter. However, neither side could break the deadlock before halftime.
The turning point came shortly after the break when Ali Ávila found the back of the net in the 58th minute. His goal not only lifted Queretaro's spirits but also sent waves of relief through their supporters who had witnessed too many missed opportunities this season. Ávila's scoring prowess has been evident throughout this campaign, and he once again proved his worth as he capitalized on a defensive lapse from Mazatlán.
As the match progressed, Mazatlán struggled to respond effectively to going behind. Their attempts at equalizing were thwarted by Queretaro's organized defense, which remained resolute despite mounting pressure. The situation worsened for Mazatlán when Dudu Teodora received a red card in the 87th minute, leaving his team down to ten men and further complicating any hopes of salvaging a point from this match.
With this victory, Club Queretaro now looks ahead with renewed hope as they prepare for their next fixture against FC Juarez on November 8. They will aim to build momentum from this hard-fought win and continue climbing up the standings.
On the other hand, Mazatlán faces an uphill battle as they gear up for their next match against Necaxa on the same day. With only two wins all season and now facing disciplinary issues following Teodora's red card, they must regroup quickly if they are to turn around their fortunes.
Reflecting on my pre-match predictions-while I anticipated a closely contested game between these two struggling sides, I certainly did not foresee such a decisive performance from Ávila or Mazatlán's late collapse. As always in football, surprises abound; today was no exception as Queretaro seized an opportunity that could prove pivotal in their quest for survival in Liga MX.