The Teams and Their Rivalry
On Sunday, May 4th, the Rayados of Monterrey and the Pumas of UNAM will face off at the BBVA Stadium to determine the last team advancing to the Quarter-Finals of the Clausura 2025 Liga MX tournament. This match is part of the Play-In series, a newly implemented format to award the eighth spot in the Liguilla, which has historically favored the home team in its previous three editions.
A Recent History in the Final Stage
Rayados and Pumas have met five times in Final Stage matches, fueling a growing rivalry. Of those series, four were direct eliminations, with each team winning twice. The most recent encounter was in the Quarter-Finals of the Apertura 2024, when Monterrey eliminated UNAM with a global score of 6-3.
In total, they have played ten matches in the Liguilla, with a slightly favorable balance for Monterrey: four wins, three draws, and three losses. However, the most telling statistic is the location of Sunday’s match: the BBVA Stadium.
The BBVA: A Haunting Ground for Pumas
Monterrey’s home ground has proven to be a formidable opponent for Pumas. In twelve visits (eleven in the League and one in the Copa), Pumas have never tasted victory, managing only a draw and suffering eleven defeats. In those encounters, Monterrey has scored 22 goals, while Pumas have managed a mere three.
An interesting fact is highlighted by Rogelio Funes Mori, Monterrey’s all-time leading scorer against Pumas at this venue with five goals. Today, Funes Mori plays for UNAM and will aim to break this losing streak while wearing the auriazul jersey.
Where and When to Watch Monterrey vs. Pumas LIVE
- Match: Monterrey vs. UNAM
- Date: Sunday, May 4th
- Time: 19:30 (Central Mexico Time)
- Venue: BBVA Stadium, Monterrey
- Live Streaming: Canal 5, TUDN, and ViX
In the event of a draw after 90 minutes, Play-In rules stipulate that advancement to the Liguilla will be decided through a penalty shootout.
