Pumas became local again at La Corregidora, as it happened in 1999, during the strike at UNAM. Querétaro received them in an adverse way, despite taking the lead, as they acted as the ideal catapult for a Cruz Azul team that rediscovered its offensive mystique. The University team suffered a heavy defeat (1-4) and is practically eliminated from any aspirations for the Liguilla, and not only that, the goals against and the points obtained (7) place them as the last place in the general standings.
Mauro Formica seized the opportunity. He intercepted a poor clearance by Jesús Corona and came close to opening the scoring at La Corregidora, causing concern for the Cruz Azul team. It was the 10th minute of the match in Querétaro. It was an open, back-and-forth game in which both teams were giving it their all. Cruz Azul allowed their underestimated opponent in the local league to create opportunities... University took advantage of the opponents' mistakes.
In a counterattack led by Josecarlos Van Rankin, yes, the much-criticized University full-back, Pumas found the key to scoring. The initial attack resulted in a corner kick for the auriazules, which Abraham González served to Luis Quintana, who scored a powerful shot inside the opponent's penalty area in the 20th minute. University regained confidence, composure, and a smile. It seemed like an easy game for Sergio Egea's team.
The clock was ticking and more of the same, an agile team that anticipated defensive tasks to move the ball dynamically, but that started to have problems finding the right way to score upfront – that was Pumas. And when they needed it the most, in the match that marked their return to the field after weeks of absence, Nicolás Castillo, the goal scorer for the felines, apparently left the field with an injury. It was one misfortune after another.
And to make matters worse, Martín Rodríguez scored the equalizer just before the end of the first half. In the 39th minute, the Chilean found himself with an easy opportunity to level the score without difficulty. There was frustration and dismay on the University team's side. Desperation from the bench and helplessness. Despite the equalizer, the feelings were of discontent. They had to row against the tide once again.
The second half was all about Cruz Azul. Paco Jémez's team unveiled the offensive firepower that has characterized them for most of this tournament and immediately reflected it on the field. Barely seconds into the restart, Martín Rodríguez, yes, the Chilean again, put the Celestes ahead on the scoreboard, after scoring the 1-2 in Querétaro. In a counterattack by Cruz Azul, they caught Pumas off guard and increased the lead.
Cruz Azul went from being an expectant team on the field to a team that proposed and took charge. With Christian Giménez as the great orchestrator of the offense, Jémez's team played at full potential. The Spanish strategist was accompanied by the veteran Argentine midfielder Edgar Méndez and Ángel Mena, who facilitated physical exertion and speed. Effective football, with one-touch play, demanding concentration from Pumas. University had no answer.
It was the final moments of the match, the faces of impatience remained on the field, a new corner kick for the Celestes... Series of rebounds in the Pumas' area and Felipe Mora appeared to put his foot in and score the fourth goal of the afternoon. Incredible reaction from the Celestes and burial for Universidad Nacional, who continue to drown in the general classification and in the relegation table. The season is practically lost for the felines. They are the weakest team in Mexican football.