América cruises past Puebla to tighten grip on Liga MX lead
América secured a 2-0 victory over Puebla at Estadio Azteca in Liga MX's sixth round. Ícaro opened the scoring with a long-range strike in the 24th minute, and Brian Rodríguez added a second after coming off the bench. The win keeps América atop the standings ahead of their Leagues Cup semifinal against Monterrey.
América's victory at Estadio Azteca was shaped by coach Guillermo Almada's decision to rotate his starting lineup, preserving key players ahead of Wednesday's Leagues Cup semifinal against Monterrey. Ícaro broke the deadlock in the 24th minute with a long-distance effort that curled inside the post, while substitute Brian Rodríguez sealed the result in the 77th minute with a similar finish.
The result extends América's hold on the Apertura 2026 standings after six rounds. Up next, the club hosts Xolos in league play, while Puebla returns home to face Toluca at Estadio Cuauhtémoc.
This result could reinforce América's momentum as they enter a demanding stretch of fixtures, potentially boosting fan confidence and ticket demand. For Puebla, the loss may heighten pressure on the squad to recover points early in the season. The match also highlights how clubs balance league priorities against international competition, a dynamic that could shape roster decisions and fan expectations across Liga MX as the Leagues Cup semifinals approach.