Fortunately for the Celestes, Gabriel Fernández returned to the pitch. The Uruguayan rejoined the game and is testing his luck for the remainder of the first half. Cruz Azul continues to dominate and create plenty of danger, while Pumas looks to respond with attacks of its own.
Cruz Azul continues to be quite active. Fernández has been very involved and is currently lying on the ground. There were calls for more than just a foul on the Uruguayan forward. He is already receiving medical attention. We will see if he can continue. Sepulveda is warming up.
La Maquina continues to threaten, looking for spaces on the wings, and when Pumas is defending well, they look for the center with quick passes to find unmarked players. Bogusz continues to try his luck with long-range shots.
Cruz Azul continues to press forward, seeking to extend their lead, but Pumas’ defense is holding strong. Keylor Navas has made a great save, sending a dangerous shot from Jeremy Márquez into a corner kick. Cruz Azul is in complete control.
Pumas want to play out from the back, but Cruz Azul are pressing high and making it difficult for them, leaving them with few passing options. Even when they do manage to get into Mier’s area, the Celeste defense clears the ball in time. It’s a lively game and you can see that both clubs want more.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLAZOOOOOOOOO
GOOOOOOOOOOOL for Cruz Azul, who quickly turned the game around. Great play by Cruz Azul, WHAT A GOAL!. Double by El Toro, pass by Charly Rodríguez, magnificent screen by Jeremy Márquez, and the Uruguayan ended up pushing the ball in.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL, GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL for La Máquina. The match is tied in Puebla, great play by Cruz Azul from the right wing, Jorge Sánchez sent in a great cross and rose unmarked to head home, Gabriel Fernández equalized, what a goal by the Uruguayan.
Terrible news for Universidad Nacional, José Juan Macías leaves the field injured. The striker is in a lot of pain and it is the same leg that has been troubling him for a long time. He leaves the field and Pedro Vite comes on in his place.
What a start to the match for Pumas, who have come out all guns blazing. Desperate to win, play has been halted after José Juan Macias was injured. The striker is in a lot of pain and looks set to leave the field.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL
GOOOOOOOOOAL for Pumas, the felines take the lead. On their first attack, they put together a great move from the start, Ángulo crossed perfectly and Ruvalcaba fired in a shot that was impossible for Mier to save. The university team strikes first, despite Cruz Azul’s warning.
The game is already underway at the Cuauhtémoc Stadium, and we have a great match tonight from Puebla. Cruz Azul and Pumas face each other in the final game of the day this Saturday. We’ll see who gets off to the best start, whether Cruz Azul stays in first place or whether Pumas springs a surprise and makes it into the Play-In.
The teams are taking to the field! Cruz Azul and Pumas are ready to kick off. The crowd is on its feet, waving flags and cheering loudly. Everything is ready in Puebla for a great game under the lights at the Cuauhtémoc Stadium!
The Liga MX anthem is played at the Cuauhtémoc Stadium. Both teams, lined up in the center of the field, listen respectfully to the anthem before kickoff. The fans show their unconditional support despite not playing in Mexico City.
Pumas must win; they must make a statement if they want to qualify for the Play-In in tenth place. Following Queretaro’s victory yesterday, Efrain Juarez’s team must win; no other result will suffice if they want to qualify for the Mexican soccer playoffs.
Nicolas Larcamon’s team urgently needs to win tonight. They are currently in third place given the combination of results that are underway, and if they want to finish top of the table, they will have to win to reach 38 points and be one point ahead of Toluca.
During warm-ups, Cruz Azul players practice quick touches and offensive moves. On the other side, Pumas performs pressure and ball control exercises, seeking precision and rhythm before the opening whistle. We’ll see who gets off to a better start in the match that is just minutes away from kicking off.
The Cuauhtémoc Stadium looks impressive, with an atmosphere conducive to good soccer. The pitch is in excellent condition and the weather is perfect for enjoying a night of soccer, with the teams that will play in the playoffs and Play-In being decided. Everything is ready for the ball to roll on this great stage.
The buses carrying both teams arrived at the stadium to applause and chants. The sky blue fans accompanied La Máquina’s arrival, while the blue and gold supporters cheered on their team with great enthusiasm on the esplanade of the World Cup stadium, Estadio Cuauhtémoc.
In the locker rooms, both teams are fully focused. Cruz Azul wants to finish a solid tournament on a high note, while Pumas is looking to score away from home to secure its place in the next phase. The coaches are preparing every last detail.
Join us for this exciting conclusion to Matchday 17 of the 2025 Apertura! From the Cuauhtémoc Stadium, Cruz Azul faces Pumas in a crucial match to determine their positions heading into the Play-In and the Liguilla. Two historic teams with everything to play for on the final matchday.
We’re back with the best soccer in Liga MX! The atmosphere in Puebla is spectacular: the sky blue crowd is showing its support, while a large group of university fans is also in attendance. The night promises excitement from start to finish.
The official lineups will be confirmed shortly from the Cuauhtémoc Stadium. Cruz Azul wants to end the regular season with another victory and continue to show that its project is destined for great things, while Pumas is looking to cause an upset and secure its ticket to the playoffs.
Stay tuned here to follow Cruz Azul vs. Pumas UNAM live with the most comprehensive coverage from VAVEL.
Cruz Azul vs. Pumas will be broadcast on TUDN on television in the United States and will also be available via streaming on ViX, with real-time commentary, replays, and extensive coverage.
And, of course, you can enjoy minute-by-minute updates with analysis and statistics on VAVEL.com, your trusted source for sports information.
Experienced Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas is undoubtedly the player to watch in the blue and gold team. Since his arrival, the Costa Rican has brought leadership, defensive organization, and decisive saves.
He has kept a clean sheet in three games and averages 3.7 saves per game, numbers that place him among the best goalkeepers in the tournament. His duel against the Cementeros’ offense promises to be one of the most exciting aspects of the match.
Midfielder Carlos Rodriguez has been the driving force behind Cruz Azul throughout the season. With his tactical intelligence, vision, and ability to break lines with precise passes, “Charly” is the perfect link between defense and attack. He is fundamental in creating play and is an undisputed starter thanks to his high level of performance.
He has scored three goals and provided two assists in the tournament, in addition to an average pass accuracy of over 90%. His performance will be vital in controlling the pace of the game and feeding the Celeste attack with quality balls.
The history between the two teams reflects a vibrant and balanced rivalry.
In their last 10 meetings, Cruz Azul has won 6 times, Pumas has won 2, and they have tied 2.
In their most recent matchup, on April 5, 2025, La Máquina won 3-2 at the Cuauhtémoc Stadium in a thrilling game. However, Pumas has not forgotten that elimination in the playoffs where Cruz Azul was its executioner, adding a touch of revenge and university pride to this Saturday’s matchup.
The university team arrives with an urgent need to score points. After some recent ups and downs, Efraín Juárez’s men know that this game is decisive for staying in the Play-In zone.
The addition of Keylor Navas has brought stability between the posts, while players such as Ruvalcaba and Carrasquilla are trying to regain the offensive spark that characterized them at the start of the tournament.
The blue and gold will look to impose their intensity and take advantage of spaces in the opponent’s defense to surprise a Máquina that tends to leave meters when attacking with many men. Pumas must win to move into 10th place in the table and play in the reclassification.
La Máquina comes into this matchday with sky-high confidence after its resounding 3-0 victory over Puebla. The team led by Nicolas Larcamon has shown itself to be solid, with a balance between defense and attack.
The midfield, led by Carlos Rodríguez, has been key to maintaining possession and generating offensive volume. In addition, the good form of Guillermo Fernández and Luka Romero in attack gives the Cementeros options, as they look to finish the regular season at least in the top three of the table, although they depend on themselves to finish in first place.
Welcome to the live broadcast of the match between Cruz Azul and Pumas UNAM, corresponding to matchday 17 of the 2025 Apertura Tournament of Liga MX.
The match will be played at the Cuauhtémoc Stadium, La Máquina’s temporary home for this match, starting at 10:00 PM ET.
I’m Gabriel García, and I’ll be with you minute by minute with all the excitement, analysis, and reactions of this great match that closes the regular season with two historic institutions of Mexican soccer.
