### Pachuca vs Pumas — Liga MX Clausura 2026 Semifinal First Leg**Match:** Pachuca 1–0 Pumas UNAM**Competition:** Liga MX Clausura 2026 — Semifinal (First Leg)**Date:** May 14, 2026**Venue:** Estadio Hidalgo, Pachuca de Soto, Mexico**Attendance:** Packed home crowd—#### 🟦 IntroductionThe Liga MX Clausura 2026 semifinals are officially underway, and Pachuca drew first blood with a narrow but important 1-0 victory over Pumas UNAM in the first leg at Estadio Hidalgo. The Tuzos now carry a slender advantage into the second leg, which takes place on May 18 at Pumas’ home ground in Mexico City.—#### 🟦 Match SummaryPachuca dominated possession and pushed forward throughout the match, looking to create danger and score the goal that would give them the advantage. Pumas, for their part, continued to search for scoring opportunities in their pursuit of a miracle result away from home.The Tuzos opened the scoring and managed to hold onto their lead despite Pumas pressing hard in the second half. The visitors, coached with caution, struggled to find the breakthrough that would have given them a crucial away goal heading into the second leg.—#### 🟦 Starting Lineups**Pumas UNAM XI:**Keylor Navas, Angel Azuaje, Jonathan Flores, Pablo Bennevendo, José Caicedo, Santiago Trigos, Robert Ergas, Pablo Alfonso Monroy, Ignacio Pussetto, Piero Quispe, and Adalberto Carrasquilla.**Pachuca XI:**Moreno; Aceves, Barreto, Eduardo Gabriel, García; Pedraza, Bautista; Idrissi, Quiñones; Kenedy, Valencia (Based on recent form lineup)—#### 🟦 Key Players**Enner Valencia (Pachuca)**The Ecuadorian striker has been outstanding this season, boasting 8 goals and 3 assists in 13 matches. Valencia remains a key piece of the Tuzos’ attack and continues to demonstrate his high level of play.**Keylor Navas (Pumas)**The legendary Costa Rican goalkeeper is Pumas’ most experienced presence between the sticks and made vital saves to keep the scoreline from becoming worse for the visitors.**John Kennedy (Pachuca)**Valencia will need to work more closely with John Kennedy to create a truly formidable attacking force — Kennedy brings pace and creativity in wide areas.—#### 🟦 Season Context**Pachuca:** The Tuzos finished the Clausura 2025 in eighth place, qualifying for the Liguilla, though they fell in the quarterfinals to the reigning champion. They finished with a record of 8 wins, 4 draws, and 5 losses.**Pumas:** Pumas entered this tournament aiming to return to the Liguilla of the Clausura 2026, after qualifying for the previous tournament but finishing in the Play-In stage.—#### 🟦 Head-to-Head RecordThe current head-to-head record between the two clubs stands at Pachuca 11 wins, Pumas 11 wins, and 16 draws — making this one of the most balanced rivalries in Mexican football.**Recent H2H Results:**- April 26, 2026 — Pachuca 0-2 Pumas- November 21, 2025 — Pachuca 3-1 Pumas- February 17, 2025 — Pachuca 2-1 Pumas—#### 🟦 VenueEstadio Hidalgo is the home of Pachuca, located in the city of Pachuca, in the state of Hidalgo. It has a capacity of 25,922 spectators, was inaugurated on February 14, 1993, and is also known as El Huracán — the stadium that has witnessed the Tuzos lift several championship trophies.—#### 🟦 Where to WatchThis match is broadcast live on TUDN and ViX in the USA.—#### 🟦 Second Leg PreviewThe second leg takes place on **May 18, 2026** at Pumas’ home ground in Mexico City. The return fixture is UNAM Pumas vs Pachuca in what promises to be a dramatic conclusion to this Liga MX Clausura semifinal tie. Pumas will need to win by at least two goals to progress, while Pachuca need only a draw to reach the final.—#### 🟦 ConclusionPachuca showed why they are considered one of Liga MX’s most consistent clubs with a disciplined and clinical performance in the first leg. However, with Keylor Navas in goal and creative players like Piero Quispe and Adalberto Carrasquilla in their ranks, Pumas remain a dangerous side fully capable of turning this tie around on home soil.The second leg on May 18 is set to be a thrilling encounter. Do not miss it.
I’m a blogger.