Cruz Azul Reaches Glory. Wins Tenth Liga MX Title after Defeating Pumas | OneFootball

On an incredibly intense night filled with emotions, Cruz Azul won 2-1 and were crowned Liga MX Clausura 2026 champions thanks to a last-minute goal from Rodolfo Rotondi, securing the tenth star in club history.

The “Homeless” Team

Cruz Azul practically lived out of a suitcase this season. They had no stadium to call a permanent home, initially planning to play at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario — where they were crowned tonight — only to eventually move to the nearby town of Puebla and the Estadio Cuauhtémoc. They abandoned that stadium too, playing most of the playoffs at the Estadio Azteca, and thenthe first leg of the final at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes. Yet somehow, the Cementeros ended up lifting the trophy in Pumas’ own house. Liga MX scriptwriters deserve a raise.

Coming from behind at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Cruz Azul ended up taking the championship in a final that will be remembered for a very long time.

How it Played

The opening stages of the match were fairly quiet, with neither side creating much danger. Everything changed in the 31st minute when, after a series of rebounds, Robert Morales unleashed a terrific strike from outside the box and sent the ball into the net to give Pumas the lead.

Early in the second half, Pumas attacked again and Juninho had seemingly doubled the advantage, but the goal was disallowed for a supposed handball. Shortly after came Cruz Azul’s response, as an own goal by Rubén Duarte in the 54th minute dragged La Máquina right back into the match.

Moments later, Adalberto Carrasquilla left the field injured, setting off alarm bells not only in Cantera but across all of Panama as well.

The pieces kept falling apart for the university side, and by the 70th minute Rubén Duarte also had to leave due to injury.

Then, in stoppage time, Uriel Antuna was sent off after a reckless challenge, leaving Pumas down to ten men.

Taking full advantage, Rodolfo Rotondi found the ball inside the box and scored the 2-1 winner that delivered the final blow in the Gran Final.

In the end, Cruz Azul held onto the lead and were officially crowned Clausura 2026 champions, securing the club’s tenth Liga MX title.

Cruz Azul wins its tenth Liga MX title:

It is now the third-highest number of league titles won by a club in Liga MX history.

Teams with the most Liga MX titles:

(latest title)

Liga MX managers with the fewest matches coached before winning a title:

Joel Huiqui was appointed interim coach on April 23rd. By winning the Clausura 2026 title, he earned promotion to full-time head coach.

Liga MX champions during World Cup years hosted by Mexico:

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