Although they surrendered a lead for the second consecutive week, Pumas managed to overcome Club América and advance to the Liga MX semifinals.
In a thrilling encounter at Ciudad Universitaria on the UNAM campus in Mexico City, Pumas stormed to a 3-0 advantage within the first 23 minutes, giving them a commanding 6-3 aggregate lead in the two-legged quarterfinal series.
However, América nearly leveled before halftime, scoring twice and finding the net a third time only to see that goal ruled out for offside. The third goal did arrive for Las Águilas when Alejandro Zendejas rose at the far post to head home a Brian Rodríguez cross past goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
With a better regular-season finish serving as the first tiebreaker, América still needed another goal. It appeared to come in the 86th minute when a controversial penalty was awarded, but forward Henry Martín struck the post with his spot kick, allowing Pumas to hold on for a 3-3 draw and secure a spot in the next round.
There, manager Efraín Juárez’s side will face Pachuca.
Pachuca eliminated reigning champion Toluca with a 2-0 victory in the second leg, sealing a 3-0 aggregate triumph. Toluca had won each of the last two short tournaments.
The Liguilla has already been unusual due to an agreement between Liga MX club owners and the Mexico national team, which requires the league’s playoffs to be played without Mexico internationals. Those players reported to the national team on May 6, though the arrangement appeared at risk when Toluca players trained in preparation for a Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal and Chivas responded by recalling its players.
