Club America recover from two-goal deficit and draw vs Pumas UNAM in Liga MX Clausura 2026 quarterfinals first leg

Club America and Pumas UNAM drew 3-3 in the Liga MX 2026 Clausura quarterfinals first leg after a dramatic Clasico Capitalino. And you lived every moment of this match here on Bolavip.

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The referee blows the final whistle at Estadio Azteca after a dramatic 3-3 draw between Club America and Pumas UNAM in the first leg of the Liga MX 2026 Clausura quarterfinals.

Alvaro Angulo fires with his left foot from the left side of the box following a counterattack, but the shot goes wide as Pumas UNAM waste the opportunity.

The fourth official signals nine minutes of added time as both teams make late changes. For America, Rodrigo Dourado and Erick Sanchez come off, with Jonathan Dos Santos and Lima entering. For Pumas, Jordan Carrillo, Rodrigo Lopez, and Uriel Antuna are replaced by Cesar Garza, Jesus Rivas, and Antonio Leone.

Club America create a brilliant play down the right flank as Espinosa bursts into the box at full speed and unleashes a powerful shot, but Keylor Navas makes an outstanding save. The momentum is now fully with America.

The referee awards another penalty after Ananias commits a foul inside the box, kicking Henry Martin while attempting to challenge for the ball.

Zendejas steps up and converts the penalty, dramatically leveling the match as Club America complete the comeback.

Henry Martin converts from the spot with a powerful and well-placed strike, bringing Club America back into the match.

After the VAR review, the referee points to the spot, awarding Club America a penalty following the challenge on Dourado inside the box.

The referee pauses the game to review a potential penalty after a challenge from Carrasquilla on Dourado inside the box.

Rodrigo Dourado attempts a through pass, but Alex Zendejas is caught offside, stopping Club America’s attacking move.

Rodrigo Lopez is booked after a strong challenge on Thiago Espinosa, as the referee shows the yellow card following the foul.

Club America make three changes as Alexis Gutierrez, Miguel Vazquez, and Patricio Salas come off, with Raphael Veiga, Thiago Espinosa, and Henry Martin entering the match.

Play is halted as Sebastian Caceres goes down with an apparent injury, with medical staff coming onto the field to assess him.

Pumas UNAM make a change as Juninho comes off and Pablo Bennevendo enters the match.

Carrillo produces a brilliant individual play down the left flank, cutting past Erick Sanchez onto his stronger foot before curling a mid-range shot that leaves Cota with no chance.

Erick Sanchez takes a shot from outside the box, but his effort sails over the crossbar as Club America push forward early in the second half.

The second half kicks off at Estadio Azteca as Club America look to respond, while Pumas aim to hold on to their lead.

After a complicated start to the first half, Club America took control of possession with 58% compared to Pumas UNAM’s 42%. Both teams were level with four shots on target, but a key difference came in duels won, where Club America led with 67% against Pumas UNAM’s 36%.

The referee brings the first half to an end with Pumas UNAM leading, after an intense opening 45 minutes at Estadio Azteca.

America make a change as Cristian Borja is forced off due to injury, with Ramon Juarez coming on as his replacement.

The fourth official signals four minutes of added time as Pumas UNAM hold a narrow lead late in the first half.

The play begins with advantage applied as Pumas break on the counter, Carrillo strikes from outside the box, but Cota makes an awkward save and spills the rebound inside the area, where Antuna reacts first and finishes with a first-time shot to restore the lead.

Cristian Borja wins a free kick, Zendejas delivers a good cross into the box, but Dourado’s header sails well over the bar.

Kevin Alvarez gets on the end of a pass from Zendejas and fires a shot, but it goes high and straight down the middle, making it an easy stop for the goalkeeper.

Carrasquilla takes a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it is a comfortable save for Rodolfo Cota, who handles it with ease.

Alexis Gutierrez gets on the end of a cross from outside the box, but his header from the center of the area drifts just wide, grazing the top right corner.

America come very close as Patricio Salas rises to meet a cross from Violante, but his header goes straight down the middle and is kept out by the goalkeeper.

The roles begin to reverse as Pumas drop deeper and concede more possession after Club America find ways to bypass their press. The Aguilas now look more direct and dangerous in attack.

Club America settle into the match after the goal, which came at the right moment following Pumas UNAM’s early dominance. It is now a new game with the score level at 1-1.

A great team play from Club America starts with a cross from Gutierrez, Violante mishandles it, but the ball falls to Salas, who lays it off and returns it to Violante, who finishes with a composed shot to level the score.

The goal had been coming, as Pumas UNAM showed greater intensity from the start and maintained near-perfect control of possession. Club America have yet to respond and are struggling to find their rhythm early on.

Pumas UNAM strike early after recovering the ball from a poor pass, as Carrillo sets up Juninho, who fires a precise shot from outside the box to open the scoring.

The match kicks off at Estadio Azteca as Club America and Pumas UNAM get the first leg of this Clasico Capitalino series underway.

Both teams are on the field at Estadio Azteca for the pregame handshake and formalities ahead of kickoff in this Clasico Capitalino.

Here's Puma's confirmed lineup for the quarterfinal first leg against America: Keylor Navas; Rodrigo Lopez, Nathanael Ananias, Ruben Duarte; Juninho, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Pedro Vite, Jordan Carrillo, Alvaro Angulo; Uriel Antuna, Robert Morales

Club America confirmed lineup: Rodolfo Cota; Kevin Alvarez, Sebastian Caceres, Miguel Vazquez, Cristian Borja; Erick Sanchez, Rodrigo Dourado; Alex Zendejas, Alexis Gutierrez, Isaias Violante; Patricio Salas

Pumas UNAM will head into the first leg of the quarterfinals without two key players, Alan Medina and Guillermo Martinez. The latter will also be joining Mexico in the coming days, leaving Pumas with important adjustments to make for this matchup against Club America.

Club America, meanwhile, will deal with a total of five absences for this opening game. Andre Jardine’s squad will be without Dagoberto Espinoza, Luis Angel Malagon, Victor Davila, Jose Zuniga, and Israel Reyes.

It is worth noting that Israel Reyes’ absence is due to his upcoming commitment with Mexico, as he is set to join the team in the next few days.

According to Gibran Araige, the coaching staff led by Andre Jardine has raised doubts about Braian Rodriguez’s availability for this afternoon’s first leg of the quarterfinals. The Uruguayan attacker picked up discomfort and will be evaluated hours before the Clasico Capitalino to determine whether he will be on the bench or miss the start of the Liguilla.

Despite the concern, Club America remain hopeful that Braian Rodriguez will be available for a match in which the Aguilas enter as the underdogs to take the series.

Club America last lifted a trophy in the Apertura 2024, a title that sealed their championship run after winning the final in Monterrey. That triumph marked a historic stretch for the Aguilas, and in terms of timing, they have only gone about a year without being champions.

Pumas UNAM were last crowned champions in the Clausura 2011, when they defeated Morelia in the final to secure their seventh title. Since then, Pumas have reached two finals, Apertura 2015 and Guard1anes 2020, but they fell short on both occasions.

It has been 15 years since Pumas last won a championship, which has increased the sense of urgency among their fans. That expectation has grown even more given the strong performances the team have delivered in the current tournament under Efrain Juarez.

Club America vs Pumas UNAM will get underway at 7:00 PM ET (PT: 4:00 PM)

Watch this Liga MX 2026 Clausura quarterfinals first leg match between Club America and Pumas UNAM live in the USA on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, CBS Sports Network, Univision, TUDN and ViX.

Welcome to our live blog of this Clasico Capitalino showdown! Club America face Pumas UNAM in a high-stakes battle as the Liguilla begins, with history, pride, and a spot in the semifinals on the line.

Stay with us for key information and minute-by-minute updates as Club America and Pumas UNAM go head-to-head in this quarterfinal first leg!