Chinwendu Ihezuo’s Brace Powers Pachuca Femenil to 4-0 Win Over Toluca
Chinwendu Ihezuo didn’t just score two goals—she sent a message. The Nigerian striker, playing for Pachuca Femenil, delivered a commanding brace in a 4-0 demolition of Club Deportivo Toluca F.C. Femenil on Monday, October 27, 2025, at the Estadio Hidalgo in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico. The win wasn’t just a result—it was a statement. In front of a roaring home crowd, Pachuca didn’t just win; they announced themselves as serious contenders in the 2025/2026 Liga MX Femenil Apertura tournament. And Ihezuo? She’s become the engine behind it all.
The Night the Stadium Roared
The match kicked off under the fading Mexican sun, the Estadio Hidalgo—home to Pachuca’s men’s and women’s teams—buzzing with anticipation. By the 67th minute, the scoreboard read 2-0. By the 82nd, it was 4-0. Ihezuo’s first goal came after a sharp cut inside from the left flank, leaving two defenders tangled in her wake before slotting it low past the goalkeeper. The second? A clinical finish off a counterattack, calmly placing the ball into the far corner as the Toluca defense scrambled. No fancy footwork. No theatrics. Just pure, efficient finishing.
While Ihezuo stole the headlines, the full team performance was equally impressive. Midfielder Fernanda Arreola controlled the tempo, while goalkeeper Andrea Rendón made three crucial saves, including a point-blank stop in the 53rd minute that preserved the clean sheet. The fourth goal, a header from substitute Lucia Márquez in the 88th minute, was the exclamation point. It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement of dominance.
Ihezuo: From Super Falcons to Liga MX Star
Chinwendu Ihezuo isn’t new to big moments. A veteran of the Nigeria women's national football team—the Super Falcons—she’s played in two World Cups and two African Women’s Cup of Nations. But her move to Pachuca in 2024 was a gamble. Would she adapt to Mexico’s physical, fast-paced style? So far, the answer has been a resounding yes.
Her goal in Pachuca’s 2-1 win over Guadalajara Chivas Femenil just three weeks prior was her first in Liga MX Femenil. Then came this brace. And now, with four goals in her last three league appearances, she’s tied for the league’s top scorer. Her impact goes beyond stats. Teammates say she’s the first to arrive at training, the last to leave. "She doesn’t talk much," said midfielder Arreola after the match. "But when she scores, you know she’s been working on it. Every day. In the rain. In the heat. In the dark."
Why This Matters Beyond the Scoreline
The Liga MX Femenil, run by the Mexican Football Federation, has grown from a fledgling league into one of the most competitive women’s competitions in North America. Attendance has doubled since 2022. Sponsorships have tripled. And now, with stars like Ihezuo leading the charge, the league is drawing attention from scouts in the NWSL, the English FA WSL, and even the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Pachuca’s 4-0 win wasn’t just about points—it was about momentum. Before this match, they sat fifth in the Apertura standings. Now, they’re in the top three. With the tournament running through December 2025, every goal matters. And with Ihezuo firing, Pachuca isn’t just playing to qualify—they’re playing to win it all.
What’s Next? A Double Challenge
The stakes just got higher. Pachuca Femenil isn’t just competing domestically. They’re also in the 2025/26 Concacaf W Champions Cup, the continent’s premier women’s club tournament. Ihezuo referenced this double burden in a recent YouTube Shorts clip, saying, "We’re not just building a team. We’re building a legacy." And it shows. She’s already scored in both competitions this season.
Next up? A home fixture against Tigres UANL Femenil on November 3—another top-four contender. Then, a trip to Monterrey. The schedule doesn’t ease up. But if Ihezuo keeps scoring like this, Pachuca won’t need an easy path. They’ll just need their striker.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about one Nigerian striker lighting up a Mexican stadium. It’s about the quiet revolution happening in women’s football across Latin America. More African players are finding homes in Liga MX Femenil. More Mexican clubs are investing in their women’s teams. More young girls in Pachuca, Guadalajara, and Monterrey are now wearing jerseys with names like Ihezuo, Oshoala, and Nnadozie on their backs.
And while the media often focuses on Europe or the U.S., the real growth is happening here—on pitches like Estadio Hidalgo, where a 27-year-old from Enugu, Nigeria, turned a quiet Monday night into a celebration of skill, grit, and global football.
Frequently Asked Questions
How has Chinwendu Ihezuo’s performance impacted Pachuca Femenil’s season so far?
Ihezuo has scored four goals in her last three Liga MX Femenil matches, accounting for nearly half of Pachuca’s total goals this season. Her presence has elevated the team’s attacking confidence, helping them climb from fifth to third in the Apertura standings after the 4-0 win over Toluca. She’s now tied for the league’s top scorer.
What makes the Liga MX Femenil different from other women’s leagues in the region?
Unlike many leagues that rely on imported stars, Liga MX Femenil blends experienced international players like Ihezuo with homegrown Mexican talent, creating a uniquely physical and fast-paced style. Attendance and TV viewership have surged since 2022, and the league now rivals the NWSL in competitiveness, with seven of its teams qualifying for the Concacaf W Champions Cup this season.
Has Ihezuo ever played in Mexico before joining Pachuca?
No. Ihezuo’s first professional club outside Nigeria was Pachuca Femenil in 2024. Before that, she played for Rivers Angels in Nigeria and briefly in Turkey with ALG Spor. Her adaptation to Mexico’s physical game has been widely praised by coaches and analysts, who credit her intelligence and work rate for her rapid success.
What’s the significance of Pachuca competing in both the Liga MX Femenil and the Concacaf W Champions Cup?
Competing in both tournaments means Pachuca must manage a grueling schedule—up to three matches per week during peak months. But it also gives them exposure to top North American clubs like Portland Thorns and Bay FC, raising their profile. Winning the Concacaf W Champions Cup could earn them a spot in the expanded FIFA Women’s Club World Cup in 2027.
How does this win affect Pachuca’s chances in the Apertura final?
With 15 points from seven matches, Pachuca now sits just two points behind league leaders Tigres UANL. A win against Tigres on November 3 would put them in first place. Given their defensive solidity and Ihezuo’s scoring form, they’re now considered serious title contenders—something they haven’t been since winning the 2020 Clausura.
Why is the Estadio Hidalgo important to Pachuca Femenil’s identity?
The Estadio Hidalgo, with its 30,000-seat capacity, is one of the few venues in Mexico where women’s matches regularly draw over 15,000 fans. It’s where Pachuca’s men’s team built its legacy, and now the women’s team is claiming it too. The atmosphere during Ihezuo’s goals on October 27 was described by local media as "electric," with chants echoing from the upper stands—proof that the club’s investment in women’s football is paying off in fan loyalty.