Atlas and Pumas had an even fight to a 1-1 tie that will not be very memorable for most fans. Atlas was the slightly better team but Pumas did well enough to earn a tie in a match that had some moments but overall wasn’t very impressive for either side. Pumas will return home where they will host Atletico San Luis without their FIFA International players while Atlas will have a tough away match against Tijuana.
The 1st half started with the return to Pumas’ starting 11 of Alvaro Angulo after his injury
during the Leagues Cup. A left footed shot in the area from Victor Arteaga almost got deflected into the net. Off a counter, a cross into the area was volleyed wide by Duk. Off a corner kick, the cross into the area was wonderfully volleyed by Angel Azuajo past Atlas’ goalkeeper, Camilo Vargas to score and give Pumas the 1-0 lead. It was a wonderful goal even when it was a close range opportunity. Angulo got off a left footed shot in the area that went wide. After getting into the area, Duk fell with an apparent serious injury. He would be carted out and Kevin Zenon was subbed in his place. A cross from Zenon almost turned into trouble for Pumas but Pumas’ goalkeeper, Keylor Navas, was able to get to the ball. An injured Manuel Capasso would have to be subbed out for Gaddi Aguirre. Atlas had already wasted two substitution windows in the first half. A cross into the area was volleyed just wide by Robert Morales. After getting the ball in the area, Luis Estevez got off a right footed shot that forced a great save from Navas. The ball was left there for Florian Monzon but his right footed shot from close range went wide in a bad miss. A left footed shot from Luciano Hererra in the area would be saved by Vargas. A ball into the area was deflected into the path of Lucas Estevez, who got off a great right footed shot past Navas to score and tie the match at 1-1. Pumas tried to answer with Juninho getting off a right footed shot n the area but Vargas came up with a great save. Off a corner kick, Adonis Frias got off a header that went wide. The halftime whistle blew and although Pumas had taken the lead, Atlas bounced back to tie and finish the half as the better team.
The 2nd half started with Pumas subbing out Alvaro Angulo for Pablo Bennevendo. Atlas subbed out Adonis Frias for Jorge Rodriguez. A cross into the area was headed by Jorge Sanchez Purata right to Navas. Pumas subbed out Victor Arteaga for Adalberto Carrasquilla. A cross from Zenon almost turned into a shot that went wide. Pumas subbed out Juninho for Cesar Huerta, who returned to Pumas after his failed European experience. A cross from Rodrigo Lopez came close to being a shot that went just wide. Huerta would get the ball in the area but his right footed shot was saved well by Vargas. Atlas subbed out Sergio Hernandez and Elias Montiel for Edgar Zaldivar and Ryana Mmaee. A great right footed shot by Monzon from outside the area forced a great save from Navas. Pumas subbed out Uriel Antuna and Angel Azuaje for Alan Medina and Antonio Leone. Carrasquilla would make a harsh foul that earned him a red card although replays showed it should have been a Yellow card but incredibly, the referee wouldn’t go to VAR. A cross into the area would get to Zaldivar, whose left footed shot went past Navas but hit the post and got right back to him. The final whistle blew and the very hectic match ended in a tie.
Atlas and Pumas gave a hard fought performance but with few exciting moments in a tie that was a bad result for both sides. For Pumas, although they were the away side, they failed to take advantage that Atlas had to sub out two key players in the first half. While for Atlas, they failed to beat a Pumas team that struggles always in Guadalajara (they had lost 3-0 against Chivas on Sunday) and who have been lackluster in the Apertura 2026. Under coach Esteban Solari, Pumas is far away from the level shown in the Clausura 2026 where they went all the way to the Liga MX final under Coach Efrain Juarez. While Atlas had started well, their level has dropped off. They will have a tough task as they travel to Tijuana and face off the improving Xolos but will have the advantage that they will face a Tijuana side without young star Gilberto Mora. Pumas will host Atletico San Luis but will be without key players like Alvaro Angulo, Robert Morales and Pedro Vite because of FIFA International play (while Carrasquilla will also be with his NT, he is suspended because of the red card). It will be a key match if they plan to make it to the Liguilla.
