FC Juárez vs Pumas: Stormy Play-In
- CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico – Pumas UNAM defeated FC Juárez in a Clausura 2025 Play-In match marked by a weather delay, two ejections and a penalty shootout, where goalkeeper...
- The match, ultimately decided by penalties after a 1-1 draw, was filled with drama.A sandstorm initially delayed the start, and each team played a portion of the match...
- The Play-In match between FC Juárez and Pumas, originally scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
Pumas Advance in Liga MX Play-In After Dramatic Match marred by Delays, Ejections
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico – Pumas UNAM defeated FC Juárez in a Clausura 2025 Play-In match marked by a weather delay, two ejections and a penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Alex Padilla emerged as the hero. Pumas will now face rayados for a chance to advance in the Liguilla and face Toluca.
The match, ultimately decided by penalties after a 1-1 draw, was filled with drama.A sandstorm initially delayed the start, and each team played a portion of the match with only 10 men after separate red cards. The game concluded with a heated confrontation between players and staff.
Sandstorm Causes Hour-Long Delay
The Play-In match between FC Juárez and Pumas, originally scheduled for 5:00 p.m. local time, was delayed by one hour and 13 minutes due to a sandstorm affecting the area around the Benito Juárez Olympic Stadium.
Liga MX announced the initial delay, citing concerns for player safety. The decision was made in conjunction with officials from both clubs, the refereeing crew, and civil protection authorities. The league announced the delay on X (formerly Twitter).
The delay frustrated Pumas, with Efraín Juárez and several players expressing their displeasure to the match commissioner and referees.
The match eventually began at 6:13 p.m., after further delays and warm-up issues. Pumas players were reportedly met with boos from the crowd as they took the field.
Derived from the sandstorm in the vicinity of the Benito Juárez Olympic Stadium in Ciudad Juárez, the determination to delay the heating of the clubs has been made @fcjurazoic y @PumasMX.This in common agreement with clubs, arbitral body and protection…
— liga BBVA MX (@LigaBBVAMX) april 27, 2025
important update!
The game #PlayIn between @fcjurazoic y @PumasMX It has been reprogrammed to start at 6:00 pm ⏰.
Thanks for your understanding! 🙌⚽
— Liga BBVA MX (@ligabbvamx) April 27, 2025
Martínez Ejection Puts Pumas a Man Down
The match’s first major incident occurred in the 34th minute when Pumas’ Guillermo Martínez was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Jesús Murillo. martínez appeared to make contact with Murillo’s chest with his cleats.Murillo himself was cautioned for the initial foul that led to the incident.
Martínez took several minutes to leave the field, removing his cleats as he walked towards the locker room amid jeers from the juárez supporters.
Juárez Loses Player to Red Card Late in Match
Juárez also had a player ejected in stoppage time.José García received a red card for a foul on Jorge Ruvalcaba, who was breaking towards goal. García was judged to have pushed Ruvalcaba from behind, preventing a clear scoring opportunity.
Padilla’s Heroics Secure Victory for Pumas
With the score tied after regulation and extra time, the match went to a penalty shootout. Pumas goalkeeper Alex Padilla saved three of Juárez’s five penalties, securing the victory for his team. Diego Valoyes also missed his attempt, hitting the crossbar.
Robert Ergas converted the decisive penalty for Pumas.
Goalkeeper Studies Pay Off
before the shootout, Padilla was seen consulting notes on his water bottle, seemingly detailing the penalty tendencies of Juárez’s players. His readiness proved crucial, as he denied Ángel Zaldívar, Avilés Hurtado, and José Luis Rodríguez from the spot.
Post-Match Altercation
Following Pumas’ victory, a heated altercation broke out between players and staff from both teams. The confrontation involved verbal insults and physical pushing. Dieter villalpando of Pumas was shown a red card after the match for his involvement in the incident.
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Pumas Advance in Liga MX Play-In: Your top Questions Answered
Welcome to a deep dive into the thrilling – and dramatic – Liga MX Play-In match between FC Juárez and Pumas UNAM. This game had everything: a sandstorm delay, red cards, penalty shootout heroics, and post-match drama. Let’s break it down, answering the most common questions and providing you with a full understanding of what happened.