Introduction
America maintained its unbeaten record in the Apertura 2025 tournament by staging a comeback against Atlas, thanks to a scoring contribution from their high-profile new signing, Allan Saint-Maximin.
The Debut of Allan Saint-Maximin
Allan Saint-Maximin, the French forward who was signed as a marquee acquisition for this tournament, made an impressive debut for America. The former Newcastle player, who was valued at 40 million euros in 2022, entered the game as a substitute at the 62nd minute and played a crucial role in turning the match around.
The Match Details
America found themselves trailing 2-1 to Atlas at the Jalisco Stadium until the 72nd minute, when Kevin Álvarez’s run resulted in Álvaro Fidalgo equalizing for America. Soon after, Saint-Maximin made his mark on Mexican football by scoring his first goal since April 20, when he played for Fenerbahce in a Turkish Super League match against Kayserispor.
Saint-Maximin capitalized on a late cross from Isaías Violante to score against Camilo Vargas, giving America the lead once more. Brian Rodríguez had earlier put America ahead with a penalty kick in the 21st minute.
Saint-Maximin’s Post-Match Reaction
“It was a dream debut; they welcomed me like a king, even before playing a single game. I promised to give my all, and that’s what I tried to do. I am very happy about my first goal in Mexico. Mexican football is amazing,” Saint-Maximin said to TUDN after the victory over Atlas.
Impact on the Apertura 2025 Standings
With this win, America and Cruz Azul remain the only unbeaten teams in the Apertura 2025 tournament. America climbed to second place in the overall table with 14 points, just one behind leaders Monterrey.
Match Disruptions and Resilience
The match against Atlas was delayed by approximately 40 minutes due to thunderstorms in Guadalajara. Despite the weather and the return of former coach Diego Cocca, who led America to back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022, America held firm and continued their unbeaten run.
Monterrey Emerges as Liga MX Leaders
General Standings After Jornada 6
Following Jornada 6, Monterrey has taken the lead in the Liga MX general standings after defeating Pachuca 3-0, including an Olympic goal from Sergio Canales.
With 15 points and a goal difference of +6, Monterrey sits above Pachuca (13 points, +6), Cruz Azul (14 points, +6), and Tigres (10 points, +7).
Monterrey’s Coach Domenec Torrent
Monterrey’s coach, Domenec Torrent, emphasized the need for continuous improvement despite their current success. After defeating Necaxa, Torrent stated, “I don’t want Rayados to be seen as an infallible team. We will lose, and we must be ready to bounce back… I also need to improve as a coach to better assist the players.”
Upcoming Matches for America
America’s next matches will be at home: they will face Pachuca on August 30 in Jornada 7 and Chivas on September 13 in Jornada 8.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Allan Saint-Maximin? He is a French forward who recently joined America as a high-profile signing for the Apertura 2025 tournament.
- What was the score before Saint-Maximin’s entry? America trailed Atlas 2-1 until Saint-Maximin came on as a substitute.
- What were the key events leading to America’s comeback? Kevin Álvarez’s run led to an equalizer by Álvaro Fidalgo, followed by Saint-Maximin’s late goal that secured the win for America.
- Which teams are currently leading the Apertura 2025 standings? America and Cruz Azul are unbeaten, with Monterrey leading the general standings.
- What happened in the Monterrey vs. Necaxa match? Monterrey won 3-0, with Sergio Canales scoring an Olympic goal, solidifying their position at the top of the Liga MX standings.
