Pumas UNAM has traveled to Pachuca to face the Tuzos in a crucial Play-In match on Thursday, but without their six international players due to national team duties. The team aims to secure a spot in the Liguilla quarterfinals, drawing inspiration from America's success last year. With a 14-year title drought, this challenge offers a historic opportunity for the universitarios.
Pumas secured their Play-In spot in the final matchday of the Apertura 2025 by defeating Cruz Azul, overturning an adverse score in a display of footballing character. Now, they face Pachuca on Thursday, November 20, at 7:00 p.m. in Estadio Hidalgo, aiming for a ticket to the second leg of the classification round, possibly against the loser of the Tijuana-Juárez series.
Efraín Juárez's team traveled from Mexico City to Hidalgo without Keylor Navas (Costa Rica), Ángel Azuaje (Venezuela), Álvaro Angulo (Colombia), Adalberto Carrasquilla (Panamá), Pedro Vite (Ecuador), and Jorge Ruvalcaba (Mexico), six players called up for national teams during the FIFA window that ended Tuesday. FIFA recommends 72 hours of rest between matches, complicating their immediate return. While their arrival is anticipated, it seems unlikely they will see minutes in the initial match, particularly Navas.
In Wednesday's final training at La Cantera, Juárez relied on academy players like Pablo Lara, Nathan Silva, Rubén Duarte, José Luis Caicedo, and youngsters such as Emiliano Villaseñor and Dennis Ramírez, who may get opportunities. Pumas will hold a pre-match session Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in Pachuca.
Universidad Nacional has gone 14 years without a Liga title, its longest drought. The only club to win the championship from the Play-In is América, which in Apertura 2024 qualified eighth, beat Tijuana on penalties, and eliminated Toluca (2nd), Cruz Azul (1st), and Monterrey in the final, playing seven games. Pumas would face all series away and one extra match, a challenge that could end their drought if they advance.