Pumas eliminated FC Juárez from the Clausura 2025 in a match filled with controversy and intensity, with Alex Padilla emerging as the hero. The match ended in a 1-1 tie after 90 minutes and was decided in favor of UNAM on penalties. The game was played amidst a sandstorm, with each team suffering an expulsion and the game ending in a brawl.
The Play-In match between FC Juárez and Pumas, originally scheduled for 17:00 hours, was delayed by one hour and thirteen minutes due to a sandstorm affecting the Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez area on April 27, 2025. The sandstorm initially delayed the warm-up of both teams. The Liga MX announced at 17:47 on April 27, 2025, that the match would start at 18:00 hours.
Pumas players appeared on the field at 18:07 hours, and the initial whistle was blown by referee Víctor Alfonso Cáceres Hernández at 18:13 hours. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, starting with the weather conditions that affected the players’ preparations. Fans voiced their frustrations as the teams were forced to wait, and the tension was palpable as the match finally kicked off.
The drama intensified in the first half when Pumas’ Guillermo Martínez was sent off in the 34th minute after a controversial tackle on Jesús Murillo. The decision sparked outrage among Pumas supporters, who felt the referee was too quick to brandish the red card. Martínez took his time leaving the pitch, which only added to the mounting frustration of the Pumas fans, who booed as he walked off.
As the match progressed, Juárez matched Pumas in intensity, but the game turned chaotic in added time when José García of Juárez was also sent off. He received a red card for a foul on Jorge Ruvalcaba, who was on a promising break towards the Juárez goal. The match ended 1-1 after regular time, with both teams reduced to ten men.
The penalty shootout brought a glimmer of hope for Pumas as Alex Padilla stepped up to the plate. He had faced criticism in the weeks leading up to the match but transformed that pressure into performance when it mattered most. Padilla saved three of Juárez's five penalty attempts, showcasing his skills as a goalkeeper under immense pressure.
Padilla’s heroics began with a crucial save against Ángel Zaldívar, followed by stops against Avilés Hurtado and José Luis Rodríguez. Juárez's Diego Valoyes added to the misery for his team by hitting the crossbar with his penalty, leaving Pumas in a prime position to seal the victory.
Robert Ergas stepped up and calmly converted the winning penalty for Pumas, sending the Pumas fans into a frenzy. The victory was not just a testament to Padilla's skills but also a display of resilience from the entire team, who had to weather both the literal storm and the figurative one of criticism leading up to this match.
However, the post-match atmosphere soured as tensions boiled over. Following the penalty shootout, players and coaching staff from both teams engaged in a brawl on the pitch. Insults were exchanged, and physical confrontations erupted, leading to Dieter Villalpando being sent off by the referee. The incident marred what was otherwise a thrilling encounter, leaving fans and pundits to discuss the implications of such behavior.
As the dust settles on this dramatic encounter, Pumas will now face Monterrey in the next round, with the winner of that match set to meet Toluca in the quarterfinals of the Clausura 2025. This victory not only boosts Pumas’ confidence but also showcases their ability to overcome adversity, both on and off the field.
Looking ahead, Pumas will need to maintain their focus as they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in the playoffs. The intensity of the match against Juárez has set the tone for what fans can expect in the coming rounds, with the stakes higher than ever.
In conclusion, the match between Pumas and FC Juárez was a microcosm of the drama and excitement that Liga MX has to offer. With Alex Padilla at the forefront of this thrilling narrative, Pumas has shown they are a force to be reckoned with as they continue their quest for glory in the Clausura 2025.
