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Cruz Azul Claim 10th Liga MX Title With Stoppage-Time Winner

The stoppage-time strike sealed a comeback that completed a postseason turnaround under interim coach Joel Huiqui after a VAR review left Pumas down to 10 men.

Soccer Football - Liga MX - Final - First Leg - Cruz Azul v Pumas UNAM - Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, Mexico City, Mexico - May 21, 2026 Pumas UNAM's Ruben Duarte reacts REUTERS/Raquel Cunha
Soccer Football - Liga MX - Final - Second Leg - Pumas UNAM v Cruz Azul - Estadio Olimpico Universitario, Mexico City, Mexico - May 24, 2026 Cruz Azul's Rodolfo Rotondi celebrates their first goal an own goal scored by Pumas UNAM's Ruben Duarte REUTERS/Henry Romero
Soccer Football - Liga MX - Final - Second Leg - Pumas UNAM v Cruz Azul - Estadio Olimpico Universitario, Mexico City, Mexico - May 24, 2026 Pumas UNAM's Juninho in action with Cruz Azul's Rodolfo Rotondi REUTERS/Eloisa Sanchez
Soccer Football - Liga MX - Final - Second Leg - Pumas UNAM v Cruz Azul - Estadio Olimpico Universitario, Mexico City, Mexico - May 24, 2026 Cruz Azul players celebrate after the match REUTERS/Henry Romero

Overview

  • Cruz Azul won the two-legged Clausura final with a 2-1 victory in the second leg, the title decided by Rodolfo Rotondi's stoppage-time winner at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario.
  • The tie followed a goalless first leg and saw Pumas open the scoring through Robert Morales before Cruz Azul levelled in the 53rd minute via a Ruben Duarte own goal.
  • A late VAR review resulted in Pumas finishing the match with 10 men when Uriel Antuna was sent off in added time, and some reports said a second sending-off occurred though that detail is disputed.
  • The win caps a rapid turnaround under interim coach Joel Huiqui, who took charge shortly before the playoffs and guided Cruz Azul through the postseason run.
  • The title gives Cruz Azul their 10th Mexican league crown and comes amid varying accounts about longer-term milestones, with some outlets reporting this as their first full-season title since 1997 and first league win since 2021.