PACHUCA, Mexico (Interstat) — Pachuca opened its Liga MX season with a commanding 3-1 victory over Atlas on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at Estadio Hidalgo, outperforming pregame projections with a dynamic attacking display.

The home side, favored by statistical models, justified that status from the outset. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 1-1 draw, and its ELO system gave Pachuca a 73.6 percent probability to win. The final scoreline reflected that dominance more accurately than the conservative prediction.

Pachuca established control early and broke through in the 18th minute. Forward Oussama Idrissi found the net for the game’s opening goal, setting the tone for the evening. Atlas, the visiting side from Guadalajara, struggled to gain a foothold and saw midfielder Alán Bautista receive a yellow card in the 10th minute, underscoring the team’s defensive difficulties.

The pressure continued, and Pachuca doubled its advantage before halftime. Midfielder Brian García scored in the 41st minute, extending the lead to 2-0. The first-half momentum culminated with Atlas midfielder Sergio Rodríguez being shown a yellow card in stoppage time.

Any hope of an Atlas comeback was effectively extinguished in the 67th minute when veteran Pachuca forward Salomón Rondón scored the team’s third goal, putting the result beyond doubt. Atlas defender Sergio Barreto, who had been booked earlier in the 61st minute, provided an assist on the play for the visitors’ lone consolation.

Atlas managed to avoid a shutout with a late goal. Substitute Alfonso González scored in the 89th minute, capitalizing on an assist from goalkeeper Carlos Moreno, who had ventured forward. Moreno was later booked in the 83rd minute, one of several disciplinary notes for both sides. Atlas midfielder Pedro Pedraza also received a yellow card deep into second-half stoppage time.

The statistical contributions were spread throughout the Pachuca lineup. Alongside the goal scorers, assists were recorded by defender Sergio Barreto and midfielder Sergio Rodríguez for Pachuca. For Atlas, assists were provided by midfielder Alán Bautista and the unusual helper from goalkeeper Carlos Moreno.

The result immediately separates the two teams in the young Liga MX season. Pachuca begins its campaign with a win, moving its record to 1-0-0, while Atlas starts with a loss, falling to 0-1-0. The records across all competitions for both clubs mirror their opening-day league results.