Pumas Defeat Mazatlán In Dramatic Liga MX Clash

Pumas Defeat Mazatlán In Dramatic Liga MX Clash...

Pumas UNAM secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Mazatlán FC in a Liga MX match on Saturday, April 12, 2026. The game, held at Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City, drew significant attention from U.S. soccer fans due to its playoff implications and rising interest in Mexican football.

Forward Eduardo Salvio scored the winning goal in the 87th minute, sparking celebrations among the home crowd. The match trended in the U.S. as Liga MX continues gaining traction among American viewers, particularly through streaming platforms like ViX and ESPN+.

This result pushes Pumas into playoff contention while leaving Mazatlán struggling near the bottom of the table. Liga MX's growing popularity in the U.S. is reflected in increased English-language coverage and social media engagement around key matches.

Fans took to Twitter post-game debating referee decisions, including a disallowed Mazatlán goal in the 64th minute. The league's physical style and late drama resonate with American audiences accustomed to similar intensity in MLS and European competitions.

With three rounds remaining in the Clausura 2026 tournament, Pumas now sit just two points outside the top eight. Their next match against Club América on April 19 is already drawing significant U.S. betting interest according to DraftKings data.

Mazatlán's U.S.-born midfielder Roberto Meraz acknowledged the growing cross-border fanbase postgame: "We feel the support from up north. These games matter more every year." The club's coastal location and English-language social media efforts have specifically cultivated a niche American following.

The match drew 1.2 million combined viewers across U.S. and Mexican broadcasts according to early Nielsen estimates. This represents a 17% increase over similar Liga MX time slots last season, underscoring the league's stateside growth.