Cruz Azul face Pumas UNAM in the first leg of the Liga MX Clausura 2026 final as both sides begin their battle for the Mexican soccer title at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The hosts arrive after finishing third in the regular season standings and now look to take advantage at home in this opening matchup.
Cruz Azul reached this stage after eliminating Atlas in the Quarterfinals and later defeating Chivas, who finished second in the regular season, in the semifinals of the Liguilla. They now enter the final, looking to continue their strong postseason run and move one step closer to the championship.
Meanwhile, Pumas arrive with the advantage of having finished at the top of the standings during the regular season. That position proved decisive in their path to the Final, as they advanced past America in the quarterfinals and Pachuca in the semifinals after both series ended level on aggregate, moving on thanks to their higher place in the table.
