Mexico City is already in full World Cup mode. But before the tournament kicks off next month, the city gets one final of its own — Pumas vs Cruz Azul, the Liga MX final, with the whole capital watching.
Pumas UNAM and Cruz Azul meet in the Liga MX Clausura final — an all-capital showdown between two of Mexico’s biggest clubs, with the city already operating like June 11 has come early.
World Cup branding covers the streets. The Estadio Azteca is effectively on lockdown. FIFA has already taken operational control of the stadium ahead of next month’s opener, forcing Cruz Azul into yet another temporary home after playing their opening two playoff rounds there.
Thursday’s first leg ended 0-0 at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes — Cruz Azul outshooting Pumas 24-4 but failing to break through. Sunday’s decisive second leg now shifts to Pumas’ Olímpico Universitario, with Pumas needing only a draw to lift the trophy.
It only adds to the feeling that, for one more weekend, Mexico City still belongs to Liga MX.
Between them, Pumas and Cruz Azul scored 65 goals during the Clausura and lost just three matches combined across the entire regular season. Pumas topped the table with 36 points and suffered only one defeat — the fewest losses in the division. Cruz Azul finished third on 33 points and lost just twice; only Pumas lost fewer.
The numbers back up the noise.
There is history on the line, too.
Pumas are chasing a first Liga MX title since 2011 after producing the strongest regular-season campaign in the league. Their success has been built on control rather than chaos: 10 wins, six draws, one defeat and a league-best +17 goal difference.
The market reflects it too. Pumas head into the final as slight favourites with bet365, helped by three structural advantages before a ball is kicked: top seed status, home advantage in the decisive second leg and the aggregate-position tiebreaker if the final finishes level overall.
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Panamanian international Adalberto Carrasquilla has been the orchestrator. No Pumas player created more chances than his 43 during the Clausura, while his six assists were also the highest total in the squad. Ahead of him, Guillermo Martínez scored nine league goals, with Robert Morales and Olavio Vieira contributing eight each as Pumas finished with one of the most balanced attacks in the division.
Pumas have largely controlled games through midfield structure and territorial pressure. Cruz Azul, by contrast, have looked more explosive in transition and final-third moments — which is why this final feels stylistically balanced as well as evenly matched.
Cruz Azul, meanwhile, are chasing a 10th league crown — and arrive with one of Liga MX’s most dangerous attacking profiles. Their 31 goals across 17 Clausura matches ranked as the third-highest total in the league, while only two teams collected more points during the second half of the campaign.
Uruguayan striker Gabriel “Toro” Fernández has been the difference-maker. His 14 goals across all competitions in 2025/26 are the most of any player involved in this final, turning him into one of the most decisive forwards left standing in the playoffs.
That also makes him the standout anytime-scorer angle heading into the first leg.
Behind him, José Paradela has quietly become one of the league’s most complete creators. The Argentine finished the campaign with 10 goals and 10 assists across all competitions — comfortably the best combined output of any Cruz Azul player this season.
For Pumas, Martínez carries similar appeal in front of goal. Cruz Azul have conceded in every Liguilla match they have played so far, while Martínez has scored nine times this season and remains Pumas’ most reliable central penalty-box presence.
The rivalry itself feels uniquely local. Two Mexico City giants. Two Mexican managers. Two former players now leading clubs they once represented on the pitch.
Efraín Juárez has transformed Pumas in little over a year after arriving fresh from a domestic double with Atlético Nacional in Colombia. Under him, Pumas averaged 2.12 points per game during the Clausura regular season and finished with comfortably the best top-line record in the division.
Across the dugout, Joel Huiqui has gone from interim appointment to potential permanent manager after stabilising Cruz Azul mid-season and steering them through the playoffs without losing a knockout tie.
The two sides met twice during the regular season and split the spoils — a chaotic 3-2 Pumas win at Estadio Azteca in November, followed by a 2-2 draw at Olímpico Universitario in March.
Five goals. Four goals. One win each side of the city.
| Date | Match | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 15, 2026 | Pumas UNAM vs Cruz Azul | 2-2 | Liga MX Clausura |
| Nov 9, 2025 | Cruz Azul vs Pumas UNAM | 2-3 (Pumas) | Liga MX Apertura |
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And for Mexican football, the timing could hardly be better.
Before the World Cup arrives with its global spotlight, Liga MX gets a reminder of what makes football in this city different: intensity, tribal rivalries and two sides whose numbers genuinely justify the spectacle around them.
Pumas finished the regular season with the league’s best goal difference. Cruz Azul finished it with the third-best attack. Carrasquilla and Paradela — the leading creators at each club — wear shirts on opposite sides of the city. Toro Fernández, the most prolific goalscorer left in the bracket, plays for the side that finished third.
FIFA may already control the Azteca.
But for one more weekend, Mexico City still belongs to Liga MX.