Chino Huerta Scores and Gets Sent Off Against Cruz Azul

A spectacular goal and a first-half dismissal put César Huerta at the center of Pumas UNAM's Liga MX Apertura 2026 clash with Cruz Azul at Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City on Sunday, October 11. The Mexican midfielder scored after Juninho's opener but was sent off in the 37th minute, leaving Pumas with 10 players as Cruz Azul began its comeback. According to match coverage from Marca, Mediotiempo, TUDN, and Claro Sports, Juninho opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a low finish past Colombian goalkeeper Kevin Mier.

Huerta doubled the hosts' lead five minutes later with a powerful left-footed strike into the top corner, giving Pumas a 2-0 advantage. The goal also marked Huerta's first strike for Pumas during his second spell with the club, according to Mediotiempo. The midfielder returned from Europe for the Apertura 2026 campaign and had made only two starts before the match against Cruz Azul.

However, Huerta's contribution took a dramatic turn when he received a second yellow card in the 37th minute. TUDN and Claro Sports reported that he raised his leg during a challenge and struck Jorge Rodarte, prompting the referee to dismiss him. His first booking had come in the 26th minute for a foul in midfield, according to 365Scores.

The dismissal was Huerta's first red card since returning to Mexican soccer, 365Scores reported. Pumas consequently had to continue the remainder of the match with 10 players, changing the balance of a contest in which the hosts had initially controlled the action. Despite his dismissal, Huerta had also made a crucial defensive contribution earlier in the first half. Claro Sports reported that he produced a timely sliding tackle to stop a Cruz Azul counterattack involving Agustín Palavecino and Gabriel Fernández, preventing a dangerous opportunity against goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

The circumstances surrounding Huerta's goal also prompted questions about the officiating. According to Marca, commentator Fernando Guerrero argued that the attacking move should have been stopped because Gabriel Fernández had fouled Juninho while attempting to recover possession before the goal. Claro Sports also described the sequence leading to the strike, reporting that the referee allowed play to continue after the contact involving Juninho. Huerta then collected the ball on the left side and fired an unstoppable shot beyond Mier, recreating a scoring pattern similar to his goal against Cruz Azul in the Apertura 2023 tournament.

Cruz Azul capitalized on its numerical advantage shortly before halftime. According to Claro Sports, Rodarte supplied a headed pass that allowed Argentine midfielder Agustín Palavecino to score with a half-volley in the third minute of stoppage time, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Palavecino had threatened earlier with a long-range effort that narrowly missed the target, while Navas had denied Gabriel Fernández during another Cruz Azul attack, according to TUDN's live coverage. The late goal gave Cruz Azul renewed momentum heading into the second half, with Pumas attempting to protect its lead while playing a man down.