MEXICO CITY, Mexico – Pumas have qualified for their first Concacaf Final since 2005 thanks to a 0-0 draw versus Cruz Azul in the second leg of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League semifinals on Tuesday night at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Sin goles, pero con muchas emociones...
— Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (@TheChampions) April 13, 2022
📊¡Los números de la semifinal de vuelta entre @CruzAzul y @PumasMX ! #SCCL22 pic.twitter.com/BzoU5r3L7t
With the result, Pumas earned a 2-1 aggregate victory over La Maquina and will aim for their first Concacaf crown since 1989 against either the Seattle Sounders or New York City FC.
There was an intense rhythm from the start and Pumas nearly got a goal in the 19’ when Diogo’s right-footed shot was tipped wide by Cruz Azul GK Sebastian Jurado.
A minute later Cruz Azul FW Uriel Antuna was set to score with just Pumas GK Alfredo Talavera to beat, but instead fired over the crossbar.
The pace remained the same to start the second half and a Pumas counterattack just 90 seconds after the re-start ended with a curling right-footed shot from FW Juan Dinenno that barely missed wide.
Pumas’ task of maintaining their one-goal advantage became much more difficult in the 63’ when Arturo Ortiz was sent off after fouling Santiago Gimenez from behind with Gimenez bearing down on goal.
Cruz Azul set out to make their man advantage count and almost did when Adrian Aldrete’s buzzing shot from outside the area in the 82’ forced a stretch save from Talavera.
In the end, though, Talavera and the Pumas held firm to lock down the result and secure their place in the Final.
