Cruz Azul wins 10th Liga MX title thanks to stoppage-time goal vs. Pumas

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Cruz Azul won its 10th Liga MX title all-time, with interim manager Joel Huiqui guiding the team past Pumas, 2-1, in the final Sunday, May 24, just weeks after taking over for the fired Nicolas Larcamon.

After a closed first leg finished 0-0, any winner Sunday would lift the trophy, giving Pumas the advantage at their home stadium. After a quick start from Cruz Azul, Pumas were able to take advantage of that home-field edge, with Robert Morales finishing a shot from the edge of the area in the 31st minute.

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Cruz Azul looked to hit back quickly and found an equalizer in the 54th minute. Midfielder Charly Rodriguez sprung Carlos Rotondi free in the box, and his cross was looped in by a Pumas defender for an own goal.

As extra time beckoned, the game between the Mexico City clubs got chippier and chippier, spilling over in the 91st minute when Pumas winger Uriel Antuna put the studs of his boot into Cruz Azul midfielder Jeremy Marquez near midfield. He was shown a yellow card, but the VAR suggested the referee take another look. After review, it was upgraded to red.

With the man advantage, Cruz Azul pushed forward, and found a winner in stoppage time. Rotondi saw a ball deflect in the box and fall to him. He took a half turn and fired past Pumas goalkeeper Keylor Navas to score a goal that will forever be remembered by Cruz Azul fans.

"We fought. We were close, we competed three years," Rotondi told TUDN after the match. "(After the goal) I wanted to hug my family and enjoy it. We're happy."

It is Cruz Azul's first Liga MX title since the 2021 Clausura, which they were unable to celebrate in public because of restrictions in place during the pandemic. That title broke a drought that had gone on since 1997. There will be few limits put on these celebrations, with La Maquina giving their fans another trophy to celebrate after winning the Concacaf Champions Cup last season to book a place in the 2029 Club World Cup.

That title also came under a manager whose continuity was in doubt, and Vicente Sanchez moved on from the club after lifting that trophy. Huiqui, a former Cruz Azul defender who was working with the team's academy before being pressed into first-team duty, is likely to be offered a deal to coach the team full-time.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stoppage-time goal pushes Cruz Azul past Pumas for 10th Liga MX title

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