“Brais Méndez broke the deadlock for Columbus after already testing the Pachuca goalkeeper minutes earlier. Following Barreto's yellow card that disrupted Pachuca's rhythm, Méndez drove a shot that was saved, then found the net at the second attempt to make it 1-0.”
Pivotal“With Pachuca still reeling from the VAR blow, Columbus immediately hit them on the counter and Dániel Gazdag powered a header home to make it 2-0 — a devastating one-two punch that effectively ended the contest as a contest heading into the break.”
Pivotal“Oussama Idrissi gave Pachuca hope with a well-taken finish assisted by Alán Rodríguez Mozo, pulling the score back to 2-1 and setting up a frantic final quarter of an hour.”
Pivotal
Columbus Crew
Pachuca
Columbus Crew executed a ruthless first-half smash-and-grab against a Pachuca side that dominated possession and territory for almost the entire match, yet found themselves two goals down by the break. Brais Méndez set the tone early, breaking the deadlock in the 19th minute after testing the goalkeeper moments before, and the hosts' lead was doubled right on half-time when Dániel Gazdag headed home — moments after VAR had cruelly chalked off Salomón Rondón's leveller for offside, swinging the momentum decisively back to Columbus. Pachuca's statistical dominance was striking: 71 dangerous attacks to Columbus's 22, 11 shots on target to five, yet the Mexican side were undone by clinical Crew finishing and a stunning 10-save performance from the Columbus goalkeeper. Oussama Idrissi's 72nd-minute strike gave Pachuca a lifeline but they couldn't find a second, their task made harder when Sergio Damián Barreto was dismissed on a second yellow just two minutes later, and Columbus ultimately survived a frantic finish to advance.
How entertaining was this match?
Mauricio Isais takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Substitution: Sean Zawadzki comes on for Cesar Ruvalcaba.
Sean Zawadzki is on, and Cesar Ruvalcaba is off.
Alexei Dominguez comes on for Elias Montiel.
Alan Bautista replaces Oussama Idrissi.
Alexei Dominguez comes on for Elias Montiel.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Brooks Lennon is substituted for Tarun Karumanchi.
Dylan Chambost comes on for Daniel Gazdag.
Laurtaro Giaccone is on, and Mohamed Farsi is off.
Jose Salomon Rondon Gimenez takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
Yellow card issued.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Malte Amundsen takes a right-footed shot that hits the post.
Yellow card issued.
Red card issued.
Gael Alvarez comes on for Robert Kenedy Nunes do Nascimento.
Rodolfo Gilbert Pizarro Thomas is on, and Christian Rivera Cuellar is off.
Oussama IdrissiShot! Oussama Idrissi scores with a header.
assist: Alan Mozo Rodríguez
Goal! Oussama Idrissi scores to make it 2-1, assisted by Alan Rodriguez Mozo.
Chase Adams is on, and Brais Mendez is off.
Robert Kenedy Nunes do Nascimento takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Nicolas Javier Vallejo comes on for Adrian Alcaraz.
Yellow card issued.
Daniel Gazdag takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
Adrian Alcaraz attempts a header but misses the shot.
Adrian Alcaraz takes a shot with his right foot, but it is saved.
Offside.
Jose Salomon Rondon Gimenez takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Elias Montiel takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Corner awarded.
Oussama Idrissi takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Christian Rivera Cuellar takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
The first half ends with a score of 2-0.
Dániel GazdagShot - Daniel Gazdag Head Shot Goal
assist: Rudy Camacho
Shot - Daniel Gazdag Head Shot Goal
Goal! Daniel Gazdag scores, making it 2-0.
Goal! The score is now 1-1.
VAR decision: Goal disallowed for offside against Jose Salomon Rondon Gimenez.
Goal! Jose Salomon Rondon Gimenez scores to make it 1-1, assisted by Adrian Alcaraz.
Goal! Jose Salomon Rondon Gimenez scores to make it 1-1, assisted by Adrian Alcaraz.
Corner awarded.
Adrian Alcaraz takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Malte AmundsenYellow CardMalte Amundsen receives a yellow card.
Robert Kenedy Nunes do Nascimento takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Mauricio Isais takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Jose Salomon Rondon Gimenez takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Corner awarded.
Brais MéndezBrais Mendez takes a shot with his left foot and scores.
assist: Malte Amundsen
Corner awarded.
Goal! Brais Mendez scores to make it 1-0.
Brais Mendez takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Sergio Barreto receives a yellow card.
Mauricio Isais takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Steven Moreira takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Adrian Alcaraz attempts a header but misses the shot.
Offside.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Kick-off has occurred!
Columbus Crew host Pachuca in a Leagues Cup group stage clash loaded with history — the same two clubs met in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup final, with Pachuca winning 3-0 in controversial circumstances. Now on U.S. soil for the first time, Columbus carry momentum from a 3-1 opening win while Pachuca desperately need points after losing to FC Cincinnati.
