The Clausura 2026 playoffs have delivered absolute chaos, drama, heartbreak and now, the final many Liga MX fans secretly wished for: Pumas vs Cruz Azul. Two of Mexico’s “big four,” the first-place team against the third seed, will battle for the title on Sunday, May 24.
And yes, somewhere in Mexico, a television executive is smiling.
How it Happened
The first finalist to punch their ticket was Cruz Azul, who eliminated Chivas at the Estadio Jalisco with a 4-3 aggregate score. La Máquina escaped the first leg with a wild 2-2 draw before winning the second leg 2-1 away from home.
Meanwhile, Pumas knocked out Pachuca and advanced to the final thanks to their higher position in the standings after winning the second leg 1-0 to tie the aggregate score 1-1.
Joel Huiqui and Efraín Juárez will now headline the first Liga MX Final featuring two Mexican managers since 2013, when Miguel Herrera and Memo Vázquez faced each other in the Clausura 2013 Final between Club América and Cruz Azul.
“Since 2013 there hadn’t been Mexican managers coaching in a final, it’s crazy. A lot of times people don’t give enough credit to what we have at home. The preparation here is excellent,” said Efraín Juárez, head coach of the UNAM side.
“I’ve always believed in Mexicans. Abroad, you always have to prove yourself to earn respect. In our own country, respect is often taken for granted and people still have to earn it. All of Mexico should be proud of this and feel represented. Both of us will do our jobs and fight for the championship,” Juárez added.
Not Even Full Time…
It is worth remembering that Cruz Azul manager Joel Huiqui is technically still an interim coach. He took over after Nicolás Larcamón left the club at the end of Clausura 2026 following a rough stretch of results late in the season.
Naturally, Huiqui responded by casually taking Cruz Azul to a final, because Liga MX logic is undefeated.
Despite the immediate success, Huiqui admitted his future with the club is still undecided.
“Obviously I would love to stay with the team, that’s the reality. Since I can remember, I’ve been part of this club, almost like inventory. I came through the academy, built my playing career here and returned to develop as a coach. That will depend on many factors. Right now I want to enjoy the final, prepare properly and hopefully give the institution another title. We represent a massive organization. I’m grateful to the team, I’m happy, and hopefully we can win the tenth,” Huiqui said.
A First Time Finals Clash
This will also be a historic and unprecedented final. Since the implementation of short tournaments in Mexican football, this will be the first time Pumas and Cruz Azul face each other in a Liga MX Final.
Before the short-tournament era began, Cruz Azul defeated the university side for the title in the 1978-79 season, while Pumas got revenge by beating La Máquina for the championship in 1980-81.
Additionally, Cruz Azul — who played the entire regular season at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla and the playoffs at Estadio Azteca due to not having a stadium of their own — managed to submit all the required documents to Liga MX at the last minute in order to host the first leg of the final at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, their last official home stadium.
The Road to the Final
Cruz Azul had little trouble in the quarterfinals, defeating Atlas 4-2 on aggregate in a series that concluded at Estadio Banorte, temporarily renamed “Mexico City Stadium” during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
On the other side, Pumas fully embraced the chaos against Club América. After an absurd 6-6 aggregate draw that probably aged both fanbases by 10 years, the university side advanced to the semifinals thanks to their better position in the standings.
Joel Huiqui’s Cruz Azul became the first finalist of Clausura 2026 after defeating Chivas 2-1 at the Jalisco, sealing a 4-3 aggregate victory and moving one step closer to a 10th league title.
Meanwhile, after overturning the series, Pumas were welcomed by a roaring home crowd, and Jordan Carrillo became the hero for the club from El Pedregal, scoring the goal that tied the aggregate 1-1 against Pachuca and sent Pumas to their eighth final since the short-tournament format was introduced.
How the Final Will be Played
Unlike most finals across the globe, the Liga MX title is played over a home and away leg.
The first leg of the final will be played this Thursday, May 21, at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes at 8 p.m. local time, 10p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
The second leg: Sunday, May 24 at Estadio Olímpico Universitario at 7 p.m local time, 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m PT.
On the Line…
Cruz Azul will be chasing their 10th league title, with their most recent championship coming in 2021 after defeating Santos Laguna in the final.
The closest they came afterward was in 2024, when they lost the Clausura title to América, because apparently Cruz Azul and dramatic suffering signed a lifetime contract years ago.
As for Pumas, they are searching for their eighth Liga MX championship. Their last title came back in Clausura 2011, which in soccerl years basically qualifies as another geological era.
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