Pumas defeats Leones Negros to continue their Guadalajara winning streak

Pumas won their first game in 2019 and as they continued their winning streak in Guadalajara by defeating Universidad de Guadalajara 2-0 in the Copa MX. After beating Chivas twice in Guadalajara (the first time since 1982) in both Copa MX and Liga MX and also defeating Atlas, Pumas continued their winning streak in Guadalajara by getting the away victory against U de G. The win places Pumas temporarily on top of their group in Copa MX as they await the result between Atlas and U de G next week.

The game started with Pumas having most of the ball, but outside of a Felipe Mora shot, Universidad de Guadalajara was the more dangerous side. Twice they went through Pumas and wasted their opportunities.

As the first half progressed, Pumas kept having the ball and not allowing U de G opportunities. A Victor Malcorra cross was almost put in by a U de G defender before the goalkeeper saved it.

U de G got a free header but in the in the final minutes of the first half, Felipe Mora opened the scoring. Kevin Escamilla and Brian Figueroa combined and sent the ball into the area and into Mora, who placed the ball past the U de G goalkeeper.

The second half started with controversy as a Pumas cross looked to have been handled in the area by a U de G defender, but the ref didn’t give the call.

Pumas goalkeeper Miguel Angel Fraga then had to make a save from a shot, and almost immediately, Pumas should have scored a goal when Figueroa crossed it to a wide open Pablo Barrera, who missed a sitter.

Eventually, Felipe Mora was key once again when Roberto Juarez fouled him the area. A penalty kick was given to Pumas and Malcorra converted it for the 2-0. The goal killed the game and Pumas held on for the win.

The win is a key result for Pumas. After losing their home debut in Copa MX, Pumas needed a positive result to remain alive and with the possibility of going through to the next round. Moreover, Pumas needed to stop their negative streak of two straight defeats (1 in Copa MX and 1 in Liga MX) and a disappointing draw.

U de G’s chances, meanwhile, are hurt with this defeat, in their only true home game in Copa MX as they share their home stadium with the other team in the group, Atlas.

Pumas will now go home and try to get their revenge over their Copa MX defeat to Atlas, this time for Liga MX, while U de G will remain at home for their two matches against Potros UAEM in Ascensco MX and against Atlas (who will be the home team) for their next Copa MX match.