Pumas defeated Pachuca authoritatively in Matchday 4 of the Apertura 2024 of Liga MX to kick off the Leagues Cup with spirits high after remaining undefeated in the local tournament.
The adjustment after the unexpected absence almost cost the university team the first goal just before the quarter-hour mark after a great team play from Pachuca that left Oussama Idrissi in front of the goal following a wall pass with Bryan González inside the area, but Ulises Rivas blocked the Moroccan’s attempted cross.
The locals maintained possession of the ball for longer, but the closest they came to scoring was a header from Funes Mori in the heart of the area, where the Tuzo goalkeeper made a great save to prevent the score from changing.
In the dying moments of the first half, a foul by Idrissi on Quispe in the band sparked the set-piece play that would give Pumas the first goal. Huerta quickly took the free kick, Ruvalcaba crossed to the near post for Rivas to score and make it 1-0 in the match.
The second half began with controversy after the alleged kick by Micolta on Funes Mori in the area. After review and consultation with VAR, the referee awarded a penalty in favor of Pumas, which César ‘Chino’ Huerta did not miss to make it 2-0.
At the 71-minute mark, Julio González denied the discount by recklessly narrowing down Salomón Rondón’s volley shot in the area and was fortunate to see Poncho González hit the crossbar on the rebound.
After 99 minutes played at the Olímpico Universitario, Pumas took another victory at home to face the Leagues Cup with an undefeated record in the tournament, while Pachuca suffered its second defeat.