MEXICO CITY (Interstat) — In a frenetic Liga MX Clausura match that defied pregame projections, Pumas UNAM and visiting Cruz Azul battled to a 2-2 draw on Saturday at Estadio Olímpico de Universitario.

The result, which saw three goals scored in the final 13 minutes after a second-half red card, left both teams with identical records to open their 2026 league campaigns: no wins, no losses, and one draw. The share of the points also mirrored their overall records across all competitions this season.

The match unfolded in stark contrast to statistical forecasts. Data firm Interstat had given Cruz Azul a 67.5 percent probability of victory and projected a more conservative 1-1 final score.

Cruz Azul, the visitors, struck first. Substitute forward Nicolás Ibáñez broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, finishing a play to give his side the lead. The advantage was short-lived, however, as Pumas responded just seven minutes later. In the 42nd minute, another substitute, midfielder Charly Rodríguez, found the net to send the teams into halftime level at 1-1.

The game’s complexion changed drastically in the 68th minute when Pumas defender Nathan Silva was shown a straight red card, forcing the home side to play a man down for the remainder of the contest. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Pumas nearly stole all three points.

Against the run of play, Pumas took a 2-1 lead in the 77th minute. Defender Willer Ditta, who had entered the match as a substitute, powered home a header to send the home crowd into a frenzy. Ditta was also credited with an assist on Rodríguez’s first-half equalizer, making him a central figure in the comeback effort.

Cruz Azul, pressing to salvage the match, found its answer in the 84th minute. Midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla, who had been shown a yellow card in the 11th minute, delivered the crucial service, setting up a goal from forward Juninho to level the score at 2-2 and ensure the points were split.

The match was a physical affair, reflected in the six yellow cards issued by the officiating crew. Alongside Carrasquilla’s early booking, Pumas’ Silva was cautioned in the 14th minute before his later dismissal. Ditta received a yellow in the 61st minute, followed by Cruz Azul’s Guillermo Martínez in the 74th. Cruz Azul goalkeeper Keylor Navas was booked in the 84th minute, and Pumas’ Pablo Bennevendo Peña saw yellow in the 89th.

Key performances emerged from the benches. For Cruz Azul, substitutes Nicolás Ibáñez and Charly Rodríguez provided the first-half goals. For Pumas, the contributions of substitute Willer Ditta, with a goal and an assist, were instrumental in securing the draw despite being a man down. Adalberto Carrasquilla’s two assists for Cruz Azul proved equally vital in the final outcome.

The 2-2 draw leaves both Mexico City clubs seeking their first victory of the Liga MX season as the tournament progresses.