Pumas UNAM Defeats FC Juárez In Tense Liga MX Clash

Pumas UNAM Defeats FC Juárez In Tense Liga MX Clash...

Pumas UNAM secured a 2-1 victory over FC Juárez in a heated Liga MX match Thursday night, sparking discussions among U.S. soccer fans. The game, played at Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City, saw late drama with a controversial penalty decision favoring Pumas.

The matchup is trending in the U.S. due to growing interest in Liga MX, which consistently outdraws MLS in American television ratings. Thursday's game aired on TUDN and attracted significant cross-border viewership, particularly in southwestern states with large Mexican-American populations.

Pumas striker Eduardo Salvio opened scoring in the 28th minute, while Juárez's Amaury Escoto equalized just before halftime. The decisive goal came in the 82nd minute when Pumas was awarded a penalty after VAR review, converted coolly by Juan Dinenno.

FC Juárez players and staff protested the penalty call vehemently, with manager Diego Mejía receiving a red card for his protests. The loss leaves Juárez dangerously close to the relegation zone with five matches remaining in the Clausura tournament.

Social media reactions in the U.S. were divided, with many debating the penalty decision on platforms like Twitter. The match also drew attention due to the presence of several players with U.S. national team connections, including Juárez's American-born defender Ventura Alvarado.

Liga MX continues to gain traction in American markets, with this season's matches averaging over 1 million U.S. viewers per game on Spanish-language networks. The league's popularity reflects both the growing Hispanic demographic and increasing appetite for high-quality soccer beyond European leagues.

Both teams face critical matches this weekend as the Liga MX playoff race intensifies. Pumas moves into 6th place with the win, while Juárez remains in 15th, just one point above the relegation playoff position.