America and Pumas battle to a thrilling tie in the first leg of their Quarterfinals matchup

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MAY 03: Jordan Carrillo of Pumas celebrates after scoring the team's third goal during the quarterfinals first leg match between America and Pumas UNAM as part of the Torneo Clausura 2026 Liga MX at Banorte Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images) | Getty Images America bounced back from trailing by a 3-1 score to grab a 3-3 tie in the first leg of their Quarterfinal series against Pumas. It was an exciting match with controversial moments which still leaves Pumas as going thru as America will need to win next week in Estadio Olimpico to be able to go thru to the Semifinals of the Clausura 2026.

The 1st half started with the news that Brian Rodriguez would not play because of injury. The America player had been named as a starter and had come out the team to the warm ups but he was injured. For Pumas, they had Uriel Antuna as well as Robert Morales and Juninho up top.

After a mistake from America with a pass, the ball would get to Jordan Carrillo, who found Juninho just outside the area, and he would get off a right footed shot past America’s goalkeeper, Rodolfo Cota, for an early goal that gave Pumas the shock 1-0 lead. Off a counter, Carrillo got off a right footed shot from outside the area that went wide. A cross into the area ended with a great combination play in which Patricio Salas would find Isaias Violante, who got off a left footed shot in the area past Pumas’ goalkeeper, Keylor Navas, to score and tie the match at 1-1.

A cross into the area was headed wide by Alejandro Zendejas. From outside the area, Kevin Alvarez got off a right footed shot straight to Navas. From outside the area, Zendejas got off a great right footed shot that hit the post.