Lozano's Early Strike Lifts Puebla Past Mazatlán 2-1

PUEBLA, MEXICO — In a pulsating Liga BBVA MX encounter, Esteban Lozano's lightning-quick opener set the stage for Puebla's hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mazatlán FC at the electric Estadio Cuauhtémoc. The hosts delivered a masterclass of attacking football, unleashing 21 shots and dominating possession, yet were made to sweat during a nerve-wracking finale that saw Facundo Almada's late header threaten to unravel their carefully constructed triumph.

The match erupted into life within seconds of kickoff when Lozano unleashed a thunderous right-footed strike from outside the box, following a blistering counter-attack that sent the home crowd into delirium. This early goal perfectly embodied Puebla's aggressive tactical approach—pressing high, hunting in packs, and seeking to exploit every potential vulnerability in the Mazatlán defensive structure.

Edgar Guerra nearly extended the advantage in the 12th minute, directing Carlos Baltazar's precision cross toward the top corner, only to be denied by Ricardo Rodríguez's acrobatic, gravity-defying save. The Mazatlán goalkeeper would prove a persistent thorn in Puebla's side throughout the match, making a series of crucial interventions that kept his side within striking distance.

Despite Puebla's overwhelming territorial dominance, Mazatlán demonstrated remarkable resilience and tactical discipline. Omar Moreno tested Ricardo Gutiérrez from a challenging angle on the right, while the dangerous Yoel Bárcenas consistently probed and threatened. The visitors' clinical approach was evident in their remarkable 75% shots-on-target ratio, transforming limited opportunities into genuine scoring chances.

Brayan Garnica came agonizingly close to doubling Puebla's advantage in the 18th minute, his close-range effort brilliantly repelled by Rodríguez. The goalkeeper's heroics kept Mazatlán's hopes alive during a period of sustained home pressure that saw Puebla control 55.5% possession and earn eight corners compared to their opponents' six.

Guerra finally secured the crucial second goal in the 34th minute, his persistent attacking play rewarded after an initial saved attempt. Bárcenas continued to be Mazatlán's primary creative spark, forcing another spectacular save from Gutiérrez with a well-struck right-footed shot that epitomized the visitors' counter-attacking threat.

The match transformed into a tactical chess match in its latter stages, with Almada providing dramatic tension by rising unmarked to head home Bárcenas' precise cross in the 69th minute. Suddenly, a comfortable home victory became a nail-biting contest of nerves and tactical discipline.

The final 20 minutes became an end-to-end spectacle, with both goalkeepers making five critical saves. Jair Díaz came closest to leveling in stoppage time, his left-footed effort from the center of the box expertly denied by Gutiérrez, who preserved Puebla's hard-earned advantage with a crucial intervention.

Puebla's tactical maturity shone through in the closing stages. They absorbed mounting pressure while strategically seeking counter-attacking opportunities, accumulating four yellow cards that reflected their fierce determination to protect their lead. Kevin Velasco and Ignacio Maestro Puch were booked as tensions escalated in the match's dramatic conclusion.

This victory represents a significant psychological boost for Puebla, reaffirming their attacking prowess and tactical resilience after recent challenges. While Mazatlán impressed with their clinical finishing, they were ultimately undone by Puebla's relentless pressure and ability to create numerous scoring opportunities.

Looking forward, both teams will extract valuable lessons from this encounter. Puebla will seek to maintain their attacking momentum, while Mazatlán can draw encouragement from their spirited performance that nearly salvaged an unlikely point at Estadio Cuauhtémoc.

In a league where margins are razor-thin, matches like these remind fans of the Liga BBVA MX's unpredictable, passionate nature—where a single moment can transform an entire narrative, and resilience is as crucial as skill.