Pumas got the very important victory over Cruz Azul by a 3-2 score that gave them the last Play In spot. It was an incredible controversial match with a couple of notable injuries but that had their lively moments. Pumas victory guaranteed them the 10th and final spots for the Liguilla, as they will face either FC Juarez or Pachuca in the second Play In match, where a win or lose ends the season of either team. Cruz Azul lost out the first place spot as they ended in 3rd and will face off against
Chivas de Guadalajara in 1 of 2 Liguilla series that are already set.
The 1st half started with Pumas going with their best as they tried for that final opportunity for post season play. Cruz Azul also came out with a strong lineup as they tried to end in first place of the Apertura 2025 regular season. Gabriel Fernandez got off a left footed shot from outside the area that went wide. After getting the ball in the area, Jorge Ruvalcaba got off a great right footed volley past Cruz Azul’s goalkeeper, Kevin Mier, to score and give Pumas the surprising 1-0 lead. It was a fantastic goal from Ruvalcaba, who was just called up for the Mexican National team. After a bad crash into Jose Juan Macias by Jose Paradela, the Pumas attacker was injured and had to come out of the match. Pedro Vite would be subbed in his place. A cross into the area from Jorge Sanchez was headed by Gabriel Fernandez past Pumas’ goalkeeper, Keylor Navas to score and tie the match at 1-1. Off a counter, Mateusz Bogusz got off a right footed shot that went wide. A great thru pass from Carlos Rodriguez would find Gabiel Fernandez, who from close range got a left footed shot past Navas to score and give Cruz Azul the 2-1 lead. From outside the area, Jeremy Marquez got off a right footed shot that forced Navas to make a good save. Off a free kick, the ball would be headed just wide by Jesus Orozco. As Mier tried to kick the ball, Adalberto Carrasquilla went studs up trying to block his clearance and ended up fouling the keeper. It was only a Yellow card but it should have been a red card for such a harsh tackle after he had missed the ball and kicked Mier. Worse yet, Mier was really injured and had to be stretchered out of the match. Andres Gudiño was subbed in his place. Still, after going to VAR, Referee Fernando Hernandez decided it was a Yellow card to the surprise of everyone. After play resumed, Carrasquilla would get off a great run but his left footed shot was cleared by sliding Orozco. Off a free kick, Paradela got off a left footed shot that went just wide. It was the final play as the halftime whistle blew in a very accident ridden and controversial 1st half.
The 2nd half started with no changes made during the halftime break. A great thru pass from Carrasquilla found Ruvalcaba but he took too long to take his shot and when he did, the ball was blocked by Gudiño and then cleared by Cruz Azul’s defense. Cruz Azul subbed out Jeremy Marquez for Lorenzo Faravelli. After getting into the area, Paradela got off a left footed shot that was saved by Navas. Pumas subbed out Pablo Bennevendo for Santiago Lopez. After trying to win a ball, Faravelli made a bad tackle on Lopez that earned him a straight red card which leaves Cruz Azul with 10 players. Cruz Azul subbed out Mateusz Bogusz, Carlos Rodriguez and Gabriel Fernandez for Luka Romero, Amaury Garcia and Angel Sepulveda. Pumas subbed out Jose Caicedo for Angel Rico. After getting off a pass, Carrasquilla was brought down in the area of a kick in the area and a Penalty Kick was given for Pumas. Alvaro Angulo stepped up to take the PK and he would place his left footed shot past Gudiño to tie the match at 2-2. Pumas now had 10 minutes to take advantage of the man advantage to try to get that victory that would get them a Play In spot. A right footed shot from Rodrigo Lopez was deflected wide. In the ensuing corner kick, the ball would get headed by Lopez into the path of Alan Medina, who got a header from close range to score and give Pumas the 3-2 lead. Rico got off a right footed shot that would go wide. There was a scuffle between Sepulveda and Nathan as the match intensity continued to increase. From outside the area, Romero volleyed a shot that went wide. The final whistle blew and under incredibly controversial fashion, Pumas booked the final ticket to the Play In.
Pumas got the final spot for the Play In as controversial a manner as possible. A very harsh tackle from Carrasquilla was not judged to be a red card when it should have been and when it even injured Cruz Azul’s goalkeeper, Kevin Mier. Carrasquilla was then key in getting the victory including getting the foul that let to the PK that tied the match. Worse yet, the goal that won the match came off a corner kick where the original shot wasn’t deflected. Still the result stood and Pumas got a lifeline to the post season where they will be heavy underdogs although it changes somewhat what looked to be a disastrous 2025 Apertura. After it looked like Pumas had gifted their Play In ticket (especially with a couple of terrible results like losing at home against Atletico San Luis), Pumas won their last two games and have a chance at post season glory which extremely benefits Coach Efrain Juarez and his chances to continue to be Pumas’ coach. On the other hand, Cruz Azul is severely hurt from losing Mier but also losing the first place spot. They now have their liguilla rival set up which will be Chivas de Guadalajara. They should be favorites but their position is compromised after the Pumas match. A match that was so circus like, which is a constant in Liga MX.
