Last-gasp Rotondi the hero as Cruz Azul claim Clausura title at Pumas’ expense

The Estadio Olímpico Universitario belongs to Cruz Azul. Efraín Juárez’s Pumas fought with all their might to win the Clausura 2026 on home turf - but after Uriel Antuna’s late sending-off for the hosts, La Máquina silenced the crowd. Thanks to a 94th-minute winner from Carlos Rotondi, it was a night on which the visitors celebrated the 10th Liga MX title in their history.

How the second leg played out:

Cruz Azul knew that if they wanted to make a statement, they had to strike early. Just five minutes in, Rotondi unleashed a powerful right-footed shot that Keylor Navas barely managed to tip away. Off the ensuing corner, Rotondi connected with his left, sending the ball just wide of the post.

Moments later, in the eighth minute, Agustín Palavecino showed confidence, firing a blistering shot from distance that Navas smothered safely with both hands - the pace on the ball leaving little margin for risk.

Although Cruz Azul controlled the opening 15 minutes, Pumas gradually settled into the match, leveling the play and forcing La Máquina to foul in order to disrupt the tempo. Even so, the hosts couldn’t find their way to the end line to create danger, with Cruz Azul staying alert defensively to shut down every advance.

In the 25th minute, Cruz Azul caught Pumas off guard with a three-on-two break. Christian Ebere received the ball in space but took a heavy touch, allowing the defense to recover and avert what could have been a disastrous moment for the home side.

Pumas answered in the 27th minute with a quality cross from Adalberto Carrasquilla, but no one could get a clean finish. That sequence served as a warning for Cruz Azul, as Los Universitarios began to unlock the final third - particularly down the flanks. Rodrigo López soon tested the keeper from distance with a rocket that was barely deflected.

Morales puts the hosts ahead

Pumas made their momentum count in the 30th minute. After winning the ball in midfield, they surged forward four-on-three. Antuna couldn’t get his shot off, but the ball fell to Robert Morales, who hammered it into the back of the net. The iconic “¡Goya!” chant echoed throughout the Estadio Olímpico Universitario.

Cruz Azul pushed forward after conceding, with Agustin Palavecino ripping another powerful effort that drifted just wide. Navas tracked it calmly as the first half entered its final 15 minutes.

Before halftime, Navas delivered once again - diving to deny a point-blank header with a spectacular one-handed save, preserving Pumas’ lead heading into the break.

Early in the second half, in the 49th minute, the Olímpico Universitario was ready to erupt - but the celebration was cut short. Juninho handled the ball before finishing, and the referee correctly disallowed the goal after spotting the infraction.

Duarte puts through his net as Cruz Azul level

Cruz Azul kept pressing, and in the 54th minute they found their equalizer. Ebere got a touch on the ball, but it was ultimately deflected into the net by Rubén Duarte for an own goal, leveling the score in the second leg. Joel Huiqui celebrated as if it were the championship winner.

Injuries continued to pile up. Pumas were forced into a change in the 57th minute when Carrasquilla couldn’t continue, prompting Efraín Juárez to bring on Santiago Trigos. The Panamanian’s condition raised concerns, especially with the World Cup on the horizon.

La Máquina struggled to break into the box and instead resorted to long-range efforts. In the 64th minute, Gonzalo Piovi tried his luck with a low drive that Navas once again handled well. By then, the Costa Rican keeper had already made multiple saves of that variety, proving to be the difference-maker in keeping Pumas afloat.

Pumas then suffered another blow, as Duarte was forced off with an injury, making way for Pablo Bennevendo for the final 20 minutes. The mounting absences began to take their toll on the home side, even as the score remained level.

Cruz Azul also lost Amaury García to injury, bringing in Jorge Rodarte. Remarkably, all four substitutions up to that point had been injury-related.

Late in the game, Pumas had one more golden opportunity from a corner, but Bennevendo’s header sailed over the bar. The hosts controlled possession, yet couldn’t truly threaten Cruz Azul’s back line.

Antuna off as Rotondi wins it for the visitors

Then, in stoppage time, everything unraveled. Antuna committed a reckless challenge on Ángel Márquez. After a VAR review, the referee upgraded his decision from a yellow to a red card, leaving Pumas down to ten men.

With the numerical advantage, Cruz Azul capitalized. Rotondi collected the ball inside the box and fired an unstoppable shot past Navas - delivering the championship goal on Pumas’ home turf. Tempers flared, and Ángel Rico was also sent off, reducing UNAM to nine.

The stadium fell silent. Fifteen years and counting without a title, and the wait for Pumas fans goes on. On this night, at their own stadium, La Máquina blew the final whistle on their hopes.

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