Pumas won, but still need help: here's what they need to qualify
The win over Puebla left them ninth on 20 points. They still have América and Monterrey at CU, but winning both games doesn't guarantee a spot yet.
Pumas won again and drew level on points with the team holding the last Liguilla spot. The 2–1 win over Puebla, on Matchday 15 of the 2026 Apertura, took them to 20 points and ninth place for now.
Being that close is encouraging, but the table hides a trap: Monterrey also have 20, with two fewer games played. The university side have played 15 matches; Rayados only 13.
The race for eighth place
Here is how the fight around the cutoff looks after Friday's games:
Table after Friday's Matchday 15 games.
| Place | Team | Points | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Tijuana | 21 | 14 |
| 8 | Monterrey | 20 | 13 |
| 9 | Pumas | 20 | 15 |
| 10 | Querétaro | 20 | 14 |
Rayados hold the edge on goal difference: +5 against Pumas' −2. They also play their game in hand against Querétaro on November 14: at least one of those two direct rivals will pick up points in that match.
Pumas' math
Pumas have six points left to play for. Their possible finishes include:
| Finish | Final points |
|---|---|
| Two wins | 26 (their maximum) |
| One win and one draw | 24 |
| One win and one loss | 23 |
None of those totals guarantees a spot today. Even with 26 there are still combinations that leave eight teams above Pumas. They need to pick up points and have other contenders slip.
Two finals at CU
The schedule has two home tests left: América on November 7 and Monterrey on the 21st. The second one carries extra weight because it is a direct meeting with one of the clubs they are trying to catch.
They will also need to break a pattern: four of their five wins came on the road. The finish will be decided at CU, where they have won only once this tournament.
The standings could shift over the weekend. Santos have 19 points and, if they beat Necaxa, will reach 22 and move past Pumas.
Pumas are still in the race, but they need to finish in the top eight: this tournament has no Play-In. Winning in Puebla gave them room to try; the ticket still requires points at CU and help from other grounds.
Have you seen this round's previews?See previews →More stories
Kane has won it and Neymar still has none: was it all Messi and Cristiano's fault?The Englishman lifted his first Ballon d'Or at 33. Neymar is 34 and still without the award he will most likely never win: an uncomfortable comparison that deserves more than blaming the era.
Mbappé lost by 28 points and three journalists gave him zeroUkraine, Greece and Scotland left the Frenchman out of their top ten. Their votes open an uncomfortable debate about the judgment of those who decide the award.
Lille, the club that turned its academy into a business worth nearly €200 millionThe sales of Leny Yoro, Lucas Chevalier and Ayyoub Bouaddi show how the French club turned years of development into big-money transfers to three of Europe's giants.