Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Club America beat CDS Tampico Madero 2-0 in Guillermo Almada's debut as head coach. Alexis Gutiérrez scored the opener before Alan Cervantes converted a second-half penalty.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
America controlled possession from the opening whistle but lacked sharpness in the final third — unsurprising for a pre-season fixture played after a training camp in Spain.
Henry Martín had a goal disallowed in the 10th minute. The captain then produced a glaring miss in the 27th minute, firing wide after Isaías Violante had put him through on goal with only the keeper to beat.
39' — Alexis Gutiérrez opens the scoring. The breakthrough came from the right flank, where Kevin Álvarez delivered a cross that Gutiérrez turned in from close range to make it 1-0.
America went into half-time 1-0 up but could easily have been further ahead.
Second half
Almada kept his starting XI on the pitch to build match fitness. Tampico had a rare sight of goal around the hour mark when Luciano Bocco found space in the America defence but fired wide.
Isaias Violante continued to be America's most threatening attacker, creating several dangerous situations. Henry Martín was substituted in the 68th minute after an unconvincing display.
82' — Alan Cervantes from the spot. A clear handball inside the Tampico box was penalised, and Cervantes sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, placing his penalty to the left to make it 2-0.
America closed out the final minutes comfortably to give Almada a winning start.
The turning point
Henry Martín's disallowed goal and subsequent missed sitter within the first 30 minutes could have deflated the visitors, but America's sheer dominance of possession and territory meant the breakthrough felt inevitable. Once Gutiérrez scored in the 39th minute, Tampico never looked capable of mounting a response.
Key performers
- Alexis Gutiérrez — Scored the crucial opening goal and responded to Almada's faith with a composed finish from Álvarez's cross. Selected as Player of the Match.
- Isaias Violante — America's most dangerous attacking outlet. Created Martín's big chance, continually looked to penetrate, and kept the Tampico defence stretched throughout.
- Alan Cervantes — Solid in midfield and nerveless from 12 yards to seal the win with a well-struck penalty.
- Kevin Álvarez — Provided the assist for the opener with a precise right-wing delivery and looked sharp going forward.
By the numbers — interpreted
The provider data records America's territorial control without capturing shots or possession stats for this friendly. The match timeline — one goal before half-time and the second late on — reflects a team that dominated but lacked match sharpness. Almada's side created enough chances to win by a wider margin but were let down by erratic finishing, most notably from Martín. Tampico offered very little going forward; their best moment came through Bocco's 59th-minute miss.
What it means
The result gives Guillermo Almada a winning start in his first match as Club America head coach. The Uruguayan took over after André Jardine's departure following America's painful Clausura 2026 quarter-final elimination against Pumas.
America's pre-season continues ahead of the Apertura 2026 campaign. They open the Liga MX season away to Querétaro before hosting Atlante in their first home fixture of the new tournament.
For CDS Tampico Madero (Jaiba Brava), this was a useful fitness exercise against top-flight opposition as they prepare for their own Liga de Expansión campaign.
Verdict
A professional if unspectacular start to the Almada era. America were clearly the superior side but their lack of cutting edge — especially Henry Martín's struggles in front of goal — will need addressing before competitive fixtures begin. The talent and depth are evident; the refinement in the final third is a work in progress.
Match Events
Key match events between CDS Tampico Madero and Club America — 2 goals and 0 cards recorded during the match.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 5 Jul 2026