Cancún vs Monterrey

Almeyda rang the changes for the second half, introducing Esteban Andrada, Ricardo Chávez, Alonso Aceves, Víctor Guzmán, Cristian Reyes, Luis Reyes, Omar Gálvez, Sebastián Rodríguez, Diego García and Aldo De Nigris — effectively a completely fresh outfield unit.

The fresher legs paid dividends quickly. Cristian Reyes scored in the 50th minute to extend Monterrey's lead to 3-1, and Ricardo Chávez added a fourth in the 64th minute to round off the scoring. Cancún offered little resistance after the interval as Monterrey's second-string side controlled possession and movement.

Lucas Ocampos opened his account for the preseason with a typically emphatic finish from range, setting the tone for the afternoon. The former Sevilla man looks sharp early in Almeyda's system.

Fidel Ambríz impressed in midfield, scoring the crucial second goal that restored Monterrey's lead just when Cancún had momentum. His ability to arrive late in the box from midfield added a valuable attacking dimension.

Ricardo Chávez marked his second-half appearance with a goal and provided energetic running down the right flank, showing why he remains a key option in Almeyda's squad.

Luca Orellano created Ambriz's goal with a pinpoint corner delivery and was a persistent threat from wide areas in the first half.

The 4×25-minute format makes conventional match stats unreliable for extrapolation, but the patterns were clear: Monterrey controlled territory in both halves, and the squad rotation demonstrated the depth Almeyda will rely on during the Apertura 2026 season.

Cancún's goal came during a brief spell of high pressure in the opening period, but they struggled to maintain that intensity once Monterrey made their mass substitutions.

For Monterrey, this was a low-stakes but confidence-building start to preseason under Almeyda, who took over ahead of the 2026 campaign. The result is less important than the minutes logged and the system taking shape. Rayados will play further friendlies before the Apertura begins.

For Cancún, the match served as a useful test against top-tier opposition. They will take encouragement from their equaliser and the competitive first-half spell, though the gulf in quality was evident as the game wore on.

A controlled and professional start to Almeyda's tenure. Monterrey did what a Liga MX side should against lower-division opposition in a preseason friendly: score freely, rotate heavily, and avoid injuries. The goals from Ocampos, Ambríz and the second-half substitutes offer early signs of the attacking variety Almeyda wants to implement.