Blue Cross He once again touched glory in the Liga MX. With a last minute goal from the Argentine Rodolfo RotondiThe Machine defeated 1-2 UNAM Pumas at the University Olympic Stadium and won the title of the Closing 2026thus reaching his tenth crown in Mexican soccer.
The team led by Joel Huiqui He reacted in the most complicated moments of the finest and ended up winning a match full of intensity, rain, controversy and emotions until the last breath.
Pumas hit first with a goal from Robert Morales
The beginning of the meeting showed a Blue Cross aggressive, dominating the wings and generating constant danger on the goal defended by Keylor Navaswho avoided the celestial goal on several occasions during the first half.
The Machine had clear approaches, including an opportunity to Carlos Rodriguez at minute 26, but the lack of forcefulness allowed Cougars would react.
That’s when the Paraguayan appeared Robert Moraleswho took advantage of a defensive error by Gonzalo Piovi to open the scoring in the 31st minute with a shot from outside the area.
The goal momentarily changed the dynamic of the match and gave confidence to the university students, who were close to increasing the advantage before the break.
Keylor Navas supported Pumas in the finest
The Costa Rican goalkeeper once again became a figure for the Auriazules. Keylor Navas made several decisive saves, including a great save against Rotondi at minute 39.
Even in the added time of the first half, the Colombian goalkeeper Kevin Mier He avoided the second university goal after a dangerous shot by Robert Morales.
However, the offensive pressure of Blue Cross increased noticeably in the second half, especially under heavy rain that complicated the development of the game.
Rubén Duarte’s own goal changed the best
Forced to come back, Blue Cross He came out determined in the complementary part and found the tie in the 54th minute after an own goal from the Spaniard Ruben Duarte.
The play was born after several defensive errors by Pumas, who ended up paying dearly for the constant pressure of La Maquina in the play in which Duarte put his chest on the ball after a rebound from Angulo in the small area, which, unfortunately, slipped into the upper corner of the goal defended by Navas.
From that moment on, the match became more physical and eventful. The departure due to injury Adalberto Carrasquilla represented a good drop for university students, while Gonzalo Piovi He managed to rebuild his defensive performance after his initial errors.
Rotondi defined the championship at minute 95
When it seemed that the finest was heading into overtime, the play arrived that changed everything.
At minute 92, already in compensation time, Uriel Antuna He was sent off after a strong tackle on Jeremy Marquez. It was initially a yellow card, but after a VAR review it quickly became a red card.
With 10 men, the university students lost their compass in the match and in two minutes they received the goal that cost them the championship, the signature was from Rodolfo Rotondi, who found a rebound at the height of the penalty mark and finished with his left foot directly into the back of the net, leaving feline goalkeeper Keylor Navas without a chance.
The desperation of the Auriazules was reflected shortly after with the expulsion of Rich Angelwho had just come on as a substitute, while Cruz Azul was simply waiting for the final whistle to celebrate the championship.
Finally the moment arrived and Cruz Azul obtained its long-awaited tenth star, causing celestial madness in the University Olympic Stadium.
