During the night of last Sunday, May 17, the UNAM Pumas (National Autonomous University of Mexico) defeated the Pachuca 1-0 at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario and qualified for their first final of the Liga MX in more than five years, since the runner-up finish against Lion in the 2020 Guardians Tournament, 6 years ago.
In the grand final of Closing Tournament 2026 will face the Blue Crosswhich in the semifinals eliminated one of the favorites to win the title: Club Deportivo Guadalajarawhich was unable to assert the home field and fell 1-2 against the Maquina Celeste at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Jalisco, in front of almost 49 thousand fans of Chivas.
This will be Cruz Azul’s first final since Closing Tournament 2024two years ago, when the Celestial Machine fell 2-1 on aggregate against Club America. However, the cement team knows what it means to be champion in this decade, because they defeated 2-1 Santos Laguna in it Guardians Tournament 2021five years ago.
For their part, the UNAM Pumas have fifteen years without carrying the crown of Mexican soccer, given that the last championship that they got auriazules was the Closing Tournament 2011more than a decade ago, when those led by the Mexican coach Guillermo Vazquez They defeated the now defunct Monarcas 3-2 Morelia.
Closing Tournament Final 2026
By regulation, the first leg of the final of the 2026 Clausura Tournament of the MX League must be played on Thursday May 21while the Sunday May 24 The final match for the title will be played. Therefore, based on the table position, Cruz Azul (third) must close the visit against some Pumas (first) who seek the crown.
Given this situation, the first leg of the final of the 2026 Clausura Tournament of the MX League will be played on Thursday, May 21 at 8:00 p.m. of Guatemala at the Ciudad de los Deportes Stadium, due to the renovation of the Banorte Stadium, just 24 days before the start of the World Cup that will be held in Mexico, Canada and the United States.
Read more about CS Herediano and Real Estelí: The first Central American champions of Clausura 2026
Subsequently, the final of lap of the 2026 Clausura Tournament of the MX League will be played next Sunday May 24 at 7:00 p.m. of Guatemala at the University Olympic Stadium, where more than 72 thousand felines They will support the UNAM Pumas in the search for their eighth First Division title, to tie León and Tigres.
In Central Americathe two meetings can be seen on the television channel TUDNwhich will be in charge of broadcasting the reunion between Cruz Azul and Pumas in a Liga MX final after 45 years, in a series full of history, rivalry and a pending account that Mexican soccer had not seen since 1980-81 season.
Blue Cross vs. Cougars
According to what was stated by the television network ESPNhe record of the rivalry between Pumas and Cruz Azul has led to the hobbies call this party the “classic of obsession”because the teasingcriticism and demands among fans have generated an atmosphere “obsessive” every time both clubs meet.
However, in the last five decades These clubs have only played in two occasions the final of the Liga MX in the First Division, since their confrontations defined the 1978-79 seasonwhich ended with the title for Cruz Azul, while the rematch It happened in the 1980-81 campaign, when Pumas won the trophy.
THE GRAND FINAL IS READY! 🏆🤩
Universitarios and Celestes are in the last instance to fight for glory in #TheFanFiesta. 🔥
The battle for the title is close! ⚽️#ConMexicoC26 pic.twitter.com/ZnbWx5aO9d
— Liga BBVA MX (@LigaBBVAMX) May 18, 2026