Uriel Antuna's late tackle resulted in a red card after VAR review, leaving Pumas with 10 men.
Ángel Rico's subsequent expulsion further crippled Pumas' chances.
Cruz Azul capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Carlos Rotondi scoring the decisive goal.
The game was closely contested until the expulsions, with Robert Morales initially putting Pumas ahead.
The final between Pumas and Cruz Azul was a tightly fought contest, deadlocked until late in the match. Uriel Antuna's expulsion in the 90th minute for a reckless challenge on Jeremy Márquez proved to be a turning point. Initially, a yellow card was given, but VAR intervened, leading to a red card.
Just eight minutes later, Ángel Rico also received a red card for a strong tackle, reducing Pumas to nine players. Cruz Azul exploited the situation, with Carlos Rotondi scoring the winning goal, securing Cruz Azul's victory and their tenth Liga MX title. The dismissals not only impacted Pumas' defensive structure but also their morale, as they struggled to maintain their composure in the dying minutes of the game.
The match saw Robert Morales score for Pumas, with Cruz Azul leveling through an own goal by Rubén Duarte, setting the stage for a tense finish ultimately decided by disciplinary issues.
Q: What led to Uriel Antuna's expulsion?
A late and dangerous tackle on Jeremy Márquez, which was reviewed and upgraded to a red card by VAR.
Q: How did Ángel Rico get expelled?
He received a straight red card for a strong tackle shortly after Antuna's dismissal.
Q: Who scored the winning goal for Cruz Azul?
Carlos Rotondi scored the decisive goal that secured the championship for Cruz Azul.
Disciplinary actions can dramatically alter the course of high-stakes matches.
Cruz Azul demonstrated resilience and capitalized on Pumas' mistakes.
Pumas' late-game collapse highlights the importance of maintaining composure under pressure.
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