By Jorge Hernandez
The great closing of Mexican soccer is already defined. The crown of the Liga MX they will dispute it Cougars and Blue Crossafter the university students eliminated the Tuzos del Pachuca this Sunday at the Olympic Stadium with a score of 1-0 (world 1-1).
A great goal Jordan Carrillo defined the tie, since, due to the best position in the long-established table, the feline team advanced to the star match of the season with the world tie.
Jordan Carillo is on El Tri’s preliminary list. They previously said any Liga MX player within the postseason wouldn’t be chosen, but they’ve since retracted that assertion.
I do not know of any Liga MX player with extra goals this Liguilla.
👀 pic.twitter.com/SofimTqkhU
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) Also can 18, 2026
Jordan Carrillo appeared at the most important moment for Pumas
The University Olympian experienced a night of tension, drama and euphoria, in which the hero of the night was Jordan Carrillo. The young soccer player took a free kick in the second half and scored one of the most important goals for UNAM in recent years, which put them into a final after more than 5 years of waiting and in which they could obtain the long-awaited eighth star after a 15-year drought.
With precision and power, Carrillo took an impossible shot for Carlos Moreno and sent the ball to the Hidalgo goalkeeper’s first post in the 55th minute.
The outbreak in Ciudad Universitaria was immediate. More than forty five thousand fans celebrated the goal that ended up defining the tie and that keeps the dream of the title alive for the university students.
Pumas dominated, but suffered against Pachuca
From the beginning of the meeting, Cougars showed an offensive posture in search of a comeback. The team of Efrain Juarez He came out determined to take control of the game with important changes to his lineup.
Robert Morales had the first clear opportunities of the match, including a shot against the crossbar and another incredibly wasted chance in front of the goal.
On the bands, Uriel Antuna and Angulo generated constant danger, while Jordan Carrillo and Carrasquilla were responsible for giving clarity to the Auriazul midfield.
However, Pachuca resisted the pressure and also generated moments of danger, mainly with the power of Enner Valenciawho was close to opening the scoring in the first half.
Keylor Navas was once again key for UNAM
In the closing stretch of the match, Pachuca advanced lines and forced Keylor Navas to intervene on several important occasions.
The Costa Rican goalkeeper conveyed confidence in the most tense minutes and was essential in maintaining the result that gave him the pass to Cougars by position in the table.
The Hidalgo team tried to react with the additions of Rondón, Alexei and Bautista, but the university defense resisted the closing siege.
Pumas will face Cruz Azul in the Clausura 2026 Final
With the final whistle, the Olimpico Universitario exploded in celebration. The UNAM returned to a final of Liga MX and now he will face a rival of enormous weight: Blue Cross.
The Auriazul team will seek to end a 15-year drought without lifting the championship, while La Maquina will try to confirm the great tournament it has held.
The series promises emotions, intensity and a clash between two of the most popular clubs in Mexican soccer.
Continue reading:
Continue reading:
– Cruz Azul advanced to the grand final of the Liga MX by eliminating Chivas: 1-2 (world 3-4)
– Pumas eliminates América in a vibrant Clásico; Henry Martín misses a decisive penalty in the closing stretch
– Chivas, without five selected players, did the right thing to eliminate Tigres: 2-0 (world 3-3)
