Pumas defeat América in hard fought Clásico Capitalino

Pumas had their best performance of the 2024 Clausura at the right time as they got a 2-1 victory over Club America in front of a sold out crowd. Pumas lived up to expectations in front of a raucous crowd to grab a very important victory against their biggest rival. Club America will now concentrate on the first leg of their Semifinal clash against Pachuca in the CONCACAF Champions Cup while Pumas will have to be ready to face another huge match against direct rivals Club Queretaro.

The 1st half started with the news that Eduardo Salvio was out of the starting 11 after the criticism from his lousy performance against Leon. After a good run and getting into the area, Rogelio Funes Mori found a wide open Cesar Huerta but his right footed shot went wide. After a quick counter from America, Alejandro Zendejas got into the area before being pushed by Pablo Monroy and a foul was given and thus a Penalty Kick. Henry Martin took the PK and with a strong right foot shot, would score it past Pumas’ goalkeeper, Julio Gonzalez, to give America the 1-0 lead.

There was an accidental fall for Leonardo Suarez on Igor Lichnovksy that looked like it hurt the defender but he remained in the game. Pumas tried to respond and Suarez had a left footed shot that went wide. Off a free kick, Suarez would get off a great cross into the area where Ulises Rivas would get off a diving header that would get past America’s goalkeeper, Luis Malagon, and into the net to score and tie the match at 1-1 tie. It was a great goal that made the stands explode in jubilation.

There was a controversial play when Piero Quispe would make a sliding tackle that would clear the ball but also go studs in to Lichnovsky. After going to VAR, the ref only gave a Yellow card in what could have been a red. After winning the ball in the area, Suarez got off a left footed shot that would just go wide. The halftime whistle blew and a very exiting match was tied at halftime.

The 2nd half started with Israel Reyes being subbed out for Kevin Alvarez. A cross into the area found a wide open Diego Valdes but he got off a terrible volley that went well wide. A cross into the area was terribly missed by Gonzalez but cleared by Nathan. The ball would reach a wide open Alvaro Fidalgo but his shot went right to a defender. While this was going on Valdes and Gonzalez got into a shoving match. Jonathan Dos Santos got off a great right footed shot from outside the area that would go just wide. Quipse would find Rivas in the area but his shot was blocked. The ball would bounce of Rivas and fall to Leonardo Suarez, who got off a left footed shot past Malagon to score and give Pumas the 2-1 lead. Like the first goal, the whole stadium erupted in cheers. America subbed out Julian Quiñones and Diego Valdes for Richardo Sanchez and Brian Rodriguez. Zendejas got off a left footed shot that was saved by Gonzalez. Pumas subbed out Ulises Rivas and Piero Quispe for Santiago Trigos and Rodrigo Lopez. A couple of tough tackles had started small scuffles as the match was extremely physical. Pumas subbed out Leonardo Suarez and Rogelio Funes Mori for Eduardo Salvio and Guillermo Martinez. America subbed out Alejandro Zendejas and Cristian Calderon for Javairo Dilrosun and Salvador Reyes. A combination play ended with Martin falling in the area but nothing was given but a handball on Martin. Pumas subbed out Pablo Monroy for Adrian Aldrete. A cross from Reyes was well cleared by Lisandro Magallan in a play that could have been really dangerous. A cross into the area from Sanchez was just out of reach of Rodriguez, who could have had a tap in chance had he gotten to it. Cesar Huerta would push Rodriguez, who then went back and kicked Huerta. The ref saw it and correctly gave Huerta a Yellow card and Rodriguez a Red card. leaving America with 10 players. In an unusual scene, Martin went over to chew out Rodriguez and there was a minor argument between teammates. The last minutes had America going all out for that tying goal but Pumas held on to win the Clasico.

At the right time and in front of the right crowd, Pumas has come up with two big victories. A week after defeating Club Leon and setting themselves for a place in the Play In playoffs, they gave first place America only their second loss of the 2024 Clausura. In a match against their biggest rivals, they were able to out fight the current Liga MX champions and got a deserved win although with some controversy. It was a magical night in front of a sold out crowd and Pumas needs to build on this for their very important match against Club Queretaro, the team right behind them. America meanwhile were unlucky at times but well defeated and now have to look for the very important first leg in their Semifinal clash against Pachuca for the CONCACAF Champions Cup.