Cruz Azul And Pumas Ignite Liga MX With Goal Frenzy

The energy in Mexican football is palpable as both Liga MX and Liga MX Femenil storm through late January 2026 with a flurry of goals, tactical intrigue, and mounting anticipation. Fans barely had time to catch their breath after the goalless draw that opened matchday 4 between Toluca and Puebla before the league’s top clubs reignited the competition with explosive performances, headline-grabbing results, and a handful of storylines that promise to shape the weeks ahead.

On January 31, 2026, La Liga MX returned with a bang, leaving the memory of that scoreless Toluca-Puebla affair in the dust. The spotlight quickly turned to Cruz Azul and Pumas, who combined for a staggering eight goals in just the first half of their own encounter. Talk about fireworks—fans were treated to relentless attacking football that had everyone on the edge of their seats. In another high-octane clash, the university teams locked horns with Santos Laguna, where José Carrillo put on a masterclass by netting a brace before the half-hour mark. Not to be outdone, Cruz Azul’s Palavecino and Paradela wasted no time getting on the scoresheet against Juárez, signaling that this round would be anything but dull.

But the action didn't stop with the men’s league. Liga MX Femenil has been a cauldron of intensity and tactical evolution as matchdays 3, 4, and 5 unfolded from January 22 through January 27, 2026. The early days of experimentation are clearly behind most teams, with structure, depth, and clarity now defining the competition. Established contenders flexed their muscles with heavy scorelines, while tightly contested matches revealed a league that is growing in parity and tactical maturity. The race for playoff positions is heating up, and every point is starting to matter.

Let’s rewind to some of the most pivotal moments in Liga MX Femenil’s recent run. On January 22, Cruz Azul delivered a statement 1-0 victory over Pachuca, showcasing a disciplined mid-block that frustrated their opponents and highlighted a new level of tactical maturity. Pumas, meanwhile, dispatched Mazatlán FC 3-0 with aggressive pressing and rapid ball movement—proof that their attacking identity is taking shape. Elsewhere, Atlas fell 1-2 to a composed Tijuana side, Juárez edged Atlético de San Luis 1-0 with pragmatic defending, and León matched Tigres UANL’s intensity in a disciplined 1-1 draw. Toluca, América, Monterrey, and Guadalajara all secured narrow victories, underscoring the competitive depth in the league.

Just a few days later, the attacking floodgates opened wide. Pachuca responded to their earlier setback with a 7-0 demolition of Puebla on January 25, a result that sent shockwaves across the league. América controlled their clash with Atlético de San Luis, cruising to a 2-0 win, while Juárez edged Tijuana 2-1 in a high-tempo affair. Pumas’ patience paid off in a 1-0 win over Necaxa, and Tigres UANL showed their championship pedigree by overcoming Toluca 2-1. The round also saw a goalless tactical chess match between Santos Laguna and León, and Guadalajara’s organized pressing led to a 2-0 triumph over Querétaro. Monterrey’s 2-1 victory against Cruz Azul and a 1-1 draw between Mazatlán FC and Atlas capped off a round where every match felt like a playoff preview.

By January 27, the league’s patterns were becoming clear. Tijuana edged Atlético de San Luis 3-2 in a wild encounter, while FC Juárez and Cruz Azul battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw. Tigres UANL continued their surge with a 3-1 win over Atlas, and Guadalajara’s 3-1 victory against Puebla kept them firmly in the conversation among the league’s elite. Pumas once again proved their defensive mettle with a 1-0 shutout of Santos Laguna, América dominated Mazatlán FC 4-0, and Toluca’s attacking prowess powered them to a 4-1 rout of Querétaro. Pachuca rounded out the action with a 6-0 thrashing of Necaxa, while León and Monterrey played to a disciplined 1-1 draw.

These results have revealed a few key trends: established teams are asserting their dominance, tactical discipline is at an all-time high, and the fight for playoff spots is growing more intense with each passing fixture. According to league observers, "Across Matchdays 3, 4, and 5, Liga MX Femenil has begun to reveal clear patterns: dominance from established contenders, growing tactical maturity, and an increasingly demanding environment for teams still building cohesion."

Meanwhile, the men’s league continues to serve up drama and unpredictability. The January 31 showdown between Pumas and Santos Laguna was circled on calendars across Mexico and beyond, with kickoff times provided for fans from Argentina to Australia. The pre-match buzz was palpable, as teams prepared to battle for crucial points. Pumas, in particular, entered the match with a chip on their shoulder, having not won at home for 89 days. Yet their mental strength remained unshaken. As one of their players put it, "Mentally, we are very strong; that's something I've felt since I arrived. It's true that we didn't expect these results, but while football isn't about deserving, I think we could have earned more points. We need to fine-tune some details to think about winning."

The squad’s focus was squarely on breaking their home winless streak, with the belief that a turnaround was imminent. "Regarding the 89 days we haven't won at home, if that's true, those are the statistics; I wasn't aware of it. What we do believe is that we have a great opportunity on Friday to change that, as you mentioned, and that we've started this tournament very well and continue to believe we're on the right track," another player explained. While rumors swirled about possible new signings, the team kept their attention locked on the task at hand. "We know the quality of that player, but we don't have any concrete information about whether he's coming or not. We're focused on going out there on Friday to win the game, and then, if we achieve that, whoever comes to contribute will always be welcome in the group. Our focus as players is on preparing and finishing this week strong for Friday's match."

Both teams lined up with familiar faces: Santos Laguna’s last known starting eleven featured Carlos Acevedo, Bruno Amione, José Abella, Efraín Orona, and Kevin Balanta, while Pumas countered with Keylor Navas in goal, supported by Pablo Bennevendo, Nathan Silva, Jesús Rivas, and Ángel Azuaje. The anticipation for goals, drama, and a possible shift in momentum was sky-high as fans tuned in via streaming platforms and television across continents.

As January draws to a close, Mexican football is anything but predictable. With offensive fireworks, defensive masterclasses, and the ever-present specter of surprise, both Liga MX and Liga MX Femenil are delivering storylines that will keep fans talking for weeks. The season is far from settled, and as teams continue to jostle for position, every match feels like a must-watch event. Stay tuned as the action continues to unfold, with history, pride, and playoff dreams on the line.