Pumas Secure Crucial Away Win
The Pumas UNAM pulled off a thrilling comeback to defeat León 2-1 in the 13th round of the Clausura 2025. The visiting team, led by head coach Efraín Juárez, overturned an early deficit to claim three vital points that keep them in contention for the playoff spots.
León struck first when Jhonder Cádiz found the net in the opening minutes, putting the home side ahead. However, Pumas responded before halftime with a goal from Leonardo Suárez. The decisive moment came late in the game when José Caicedo sealed the victory for the university squad. With this win, Pumas reached 17 points and climbed to the tenth spot in the standings, surpassing Chivas and Mazatlán.
Efraín Juárez Making an Impact
Since taking over as head coach in Round 11, Efraín Juárez has revitalized Pumas. Replacing Gustavo Lema, Juárez has secured six out of the last nine possible points in Liga MX. Additionally, he guided Pumas to the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup after eliminating Alajuelense.
Pumas have been a consistent presence in the Liga MX playoffs in recent seasons, reaching the semifinals in the Apertura 2023 and the quarterfinals in both 2024 tournaments. With four matches remaining, they aim to secure a playoff spot and potentially fight for direct qualification.
León Still in the Top Three
Despite the setback, León remains one of the league’s strongest teams, holding onto third place with 26 points—just one behind Toluca and four behind league leaders América. León has shown remarkable consistency throughout the Clausura 2025 and is expected to remain a strong contender for the championship.
Meanwhile, América solidified their position at the top of the table with a commanding 3-0 victory over Tigres. With the tournament’s best defense and only one defeat, the defending champions are on course for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Liga MX title.
The Road Ahead
With four matches left in the regular season, Pumas will face Cruz Azul and Tigres away while hosting Juárez and Santos. Every point will be crucial in the battle for a playoff berth, with Chivas, Mazatlán, Atlas, and Querétaro also in contention.
At the top of the table, América and León will continue their race for supremacy, while Toluca, Cruz Azul, and Tigres fight to secure direct qualification to the Liguilla. With the tournament nearing its decisive phase, every match will carry significant stakes in shaping the final standings.
