The Pachuca Tuzos defeated Pumas UNAM, whom they dominated for most of the match, 1-0 on Thursday to take the lead in the semifinal of the Clausura 2026 Mexican soccer tournament.
In Pachuca, central Mexico, the Tuzos won the first leg of the series with a goal by Moroccan Oussama Idrissi. Faced with a Pumas team that sat back and waited for their opponents to counterattack, Pachuca dominated the first half of the match, in which they repeatedly approached the box.
Pachuca imposed conditions and found a prize
In the 5th minute, Brazil’s Kenedy was one-on-one with Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who saved the attack.
After which the home side insisted on doing some damage.
Pumas created a threat a couple of times, but did not shoot on goal in a first half in which their opponent had possession of the ball in their favor 56-44.
In the 37th minute, from a corner kick, Víctor Guzmán set up Idrissi, who shot a right-footed shot from outside the box to beat Navas, making it 1-0.
The second half was also dominated by Argentine coach Esteban Solari’s Tuzos.
In addition to marking well to avoid damage from the universitarios, they offended them with good play on the flanks (Filed as: Pachuca vs Pumas semifinal).
The Tuzos held out with ten men
Although the home side maintained their dominance, the Pumas came close to scoring in the 80th minute,
This was when Colombian Álvaro Angulo played a ball to Spaniard Rubén Duarte, whose shot was saved by goalkeeper Carlos Moreno.
Pachuca were down a man when Brazilian Eduardo Bauermann was sent off in the 90+1 minute.
As a result, the Pumas went on the attack in search of an equalizer, but to no avail against an opponent that held their ground well at the back.
The second leg of this semifinal will be played on Sunday at the stadium of coach Efraín Juárez’s Pumas, who must win at home to avoid being eliminated by Pachuca.
Chivas takes advantage against Cruz Azul
In Wednesday’s semifinal opener, Chivas Guadalajara drew 2-2 at home to Cruz Azul.
A result in favor of Los Tapatíos, who, having played better in the regular phase, only need a draw on Saturday to reach the final.
Pachuca dominated the first half of the match
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Guadalajara took the lead with a goal by Santiago Sandoval, on a blunder by Colombian goalkeeper Kevin Mier.
For Los Azules, Carlos Rodríguez made it 1-1, after which Ángel Sepúlveda gave Guadalajara the lead again, with a well executed penalty kick by Nigerian Christian Ebere.
With information from EFE
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