By Jorge Hernandez
The UNAM Pumas They starred in a night full of emotions by drawing 3-3 against the America and get your ticket to the semifinals of the Closing 2026 of the Liga MXthanks to its best position in the overall table after a spectacular 6-6 world.
The great villain for the Eagles was the striker and World Cup player Henry Martinwho missed a penalty in the 87th minute that could have changed the course of the tie played at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario.
Pumas came out overwhelming and put América on the ropes
The group led by Efrain Juarez It started with intense intensity and in just 23 minutes it already had América on the canvas with a 3-0 lead that made the university fans explode.
The Spanish Ruben Duarte He opened the scoring in the 3rd minute with a left foot shot after a corner kick. Later, the Brazilian Nathan Silva extended the lead with a header at the 13th, while Jordan Carrillo He signed the third in the 23rd minute after an assist from the Brazilian. Juninho.
With that devastating start, the Cougars They shook Ciudad Universitaria and seemed to have a complete watch on the series.
America reacted and Alejandro Zendejas led the comeback
When the outlook looked complicated for the Águilas, the team André Jardine found an immediate response. Patricio Salas scored with a header in the 30th minute and before the break Alejandro Zendejas He converted a penalty to bring América closer to 3-2.
In the second half, the azulcrema team dominated possession and found the tie thanks again to Zendejaswho headed in a cross from the Uruguayan Brian Rodriguez at minute 61.
With the score 3-3 and the world 6-6, the classification favored the university students due to their better position in the unheard of phase of the tournament.
Henry Martín misses a penalty and sentences the azulcrema elimination
The decisive moment came in the 87th minute. América had at the feet of Henry Martin the opportunity to score the qualifying goal, but the striker hit the post with his shot from the penalty spot.
The failure silenced the azulcremas followers and ended up marking the outcome of one of the most exciting sequences of the Closing League 2026.
Pumas will face Pachuca in the semifinals
After leaving America out, the UNAM Pumas now they will be measured against Pachuca in the semifinals of the tournament.
Los Tuzos reached the next round after beating 2-0 Toluca and close the tie with a resounding 3-0 world, consolidating themselves as one of the strongest teams in the final phase.
Continue reading:
– América was saved from losing at the table due to improper alignment vs. Cougars
– Concussion, fracture and eye injury: América reveals medical report of Sebastián Cáceres
– Hugo Sánchez advised Henry Martín to go to Europe
