Soccer always gives revenge, and this Sunday the Estadio Olímpico Universitario witnessed a historic achievement in Liga MX. Cruz Azul won 1-2 against Pumas UNAM, winning its tenth league title in a dramatic closing that only the Clausura 2026 tournament could offer.
Under the direction of Joel Huiquí, the Celeste broke the odds in a final that was decided in stoppage time. Here is a summary of the match in which Cruz Azul became champions.
A duel of titans in the rain
TOGETHER WE BUILD THE TENTH.
WITH PASSION AND HEART, THE CEMENT MACHINE IS CHAMPION OF THE 2026 CLAUSURA.
DALEEEEEEEEEEEE, CRUZ AZUUUUL! pic.twitter.com/oKTRZAmbIN
– CRUZ AZUL (@CruzAzul) May 25, 2026
The match kicked off with Cruz Azul going on the attack, suffocating the universitarios in the first 15 minutes.
However, they came up against a wall: Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who made four monumental saves to keep a clean sheet during the Celeste gale.
Tragedy seemed to be looming over La Máquina when, in the 31st minute, an error in Gonzalo Piovi’s clearance left the ball for Robert Morales, who made no mistake and gave Pumas the lead with a shot from outside the box.
To make matters worse, the Blues lost their driving force, José Paradela, to injury before halftime.
The rise of faith
TOGETHER WE BUILT THE TENTH.
WITH PAS10N AND HEART💙N, LA MÁQUINA CEMENTERA IS THE 2026 CLAUSURA CHAMPION.
DALEEEEEEEEEEEE, CRUZ AZUUUUL! pic.twitter.com/oKTRZAmbIN
– CRUZ AZUL (@CruzAzul) May 25, 2026
For the second half, Cruz Azul came out with “the knife between their teeth”.
The pressure paid off in the 54th minute, when Rubén Duarte scored an own goal from a poisonous cross to level the score at 1-1.
The match became a war of attrition, marked by rain and injuries, including the departure of Adalberto Carrasquilla for the home side.
The drama escalated in stoppage time. At 93′, Uriel Antuna was shown the red card, leaving Pumas with ten men.
Two minutes later, the moment that will remain engraved in the fans’ memory arrived: Rodolfo Rotondi received in the box, turned on his own axis and, with a ruthless left-footed shot, sent the ball into the back of the net in the 95th minute.
With this victory, Huiquí’s team reaffirms an impressive 30-game unbeaten streak at Ciudad Universitaria (22 wins and 8 draws).
Cruz Azul not only lifted the trophy, but also consolidated a sports project that knew how to suffer and win in the face of adversity.
Filed under: Cruz Azul campeón
