Martínez brace seals Pumas UNAM comeback in Champions Cup | OneFootball

MEXICO CITY – Pumas UNAM earned a 2-nil win against Cavalry FC in the second leg of their Round One series, winning the series 3-2 on aggregate, as the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup continued Thursday at Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City, Mexico.

Pablo Bennevendo earned a penalty for the hosts in the 45’+5’, after being fouled inside the penalty area. Cavalry FC would be reduced to ten players for the remainder of the match as Jay Herdman was shown a red card.

Cavalry goalkeeper Marco Carducci saved Ignacio Pussetto’s attempt from the penalty spot in the 45’+6’ to maintain the lead on aggregate.

The Universitarios found the breakthrough goal in the 53’ through substitute Guillermo Martínez, who finished with a powerful header to the near post to capitalize on a delivery into the box from Pussetto.

Martínez secured his brace and the comeback in the series in the 74’ with a left-footed hit from outside the box.

Pumas goalkeeper Alex Padilla stood out in goal, recording four saves as he collected his first clean sheet of the campaign.

With the victory, Pumas UNAM secured a comeback to win the series and advanced to the Round of 16, where they will meet reigning Concacaf Central American Cup champions Liga Deportiva Alajuelense.

Post-match data

Pumas have not lost in 11 of their last 12 home games in the Copa de Campeones (9-W 2-D 1-L). Six of those nine wins were with a clean slate, including a match against another Canadian rival (4-0 over Toronto FC in 2011).

● Starting with the current format of the Copa de Campeones Concacaf that began in 2008, Pumas have always qualified when they have defined a round-trip series at home against non-Mexican rivals: in 2008 against Harbour View, in 2010 against Marathón, in 2012 against Isidro Metapán, in 2022 against Saprissa and New England Revolution and in 2025 against Cavalry.