Pumas’ déjà vu: Can the Liga MX giants avoid another unhappy ending?
Sitting fifth in the Clausura 2026 table, with 16 points from nine games, Pumas will be hoping not to repeat the experience of the Apertura 2024.
The second half of the Clausura 2026 is underway, and Pumas find themselves firmly in the playoff zone. Curiously, Los Universitarios are in almost exactly the same position as at this stage in the Apertura 2024 - a campaign in which they secured a long‑awaited ticket to the postseason, but didn’t get the ending they’d hoped for.
In that tournament, Pumas reached 16 points through Matchday 9, the same total they carry in this Clausura. They also sit in the exact same spot on the table - fifth place - making it feel like a full‑blown déjà vu for Los Felinos as the regular season rolls on.
What happened to Pumas in Apertura 2024?
Up to this point, the numbers line up almost perfectly. But what does history say about what happened next for Pumas? Well, that Apertura run saw them finish the regular season with 31 points, good enough for fourth place overall, in a tournament topped from start to finish by Cruz Azul.
Once in the playoffs, Pumas drew Monterrey in the quarterfinals. They dropped the first leg 1-0, heading back home knowing they needed goals to keep their season alive. But the story unfolded very differently from what they had imagined.
Monterrey came in inspired and defended their home turf the way a contender should. Pumas fought hard and answered with goals, but it still wasn’t enough to overcome a Rayados side determined to protect their advantage. Monterrey ultimately won the second leg 5-3, for a 6-3 aggregate victory.
Now, Pumas must keep collecting points the rest of the way if they want to stay in the playoff picture. Sitting in fifth place is dangerous territory - the smallest slip could prove costly.
Who’s next for Pumas?
On Matchday 10 of the Clausura 2026, Pumas visit 15th-placed Necaxa today, Friday Mar. 6, at the Estadio Victoria. Kickoff in Aguascalientes is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. Viewers in the U.S. can watch the game on TUDN USA and ViX, and you can also stream the action live on fubo, which offers new users a free trial.
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