Pumas and América draw 2-2 in Liga MX clásico

Pumas UNAM and Club América drew 2-2 on Friday at Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City, ESPN Deportes reported.

América went ahead through Alejandro Zendejas in the third minute. César Huerta equalized for Pumas a minute later. Henry Martín converted a penalty in the 72nd minute to put América ahead, and Robert Morales answered with a penalty of his own in the 77th.

América held 65% of possession and out-passed Pumas 458 to 286. The expected goals favored América 1.83 to 1.57. Keylor Navas, the former Real Madrid and Costa Rica goalkeeper, started for Pumas.

What the coverage missed

The game was decided by two penalties in five minutes. Both were called on fouls in the box. The coverage treated them as routine. They were not — both fouls were marginal, and in a different week, with a different referee, neither gets called. The result was shaped by officiating as much as by play.

Navas is 38 and playing in Liga MX. He won three Champions League titles with Real Madrid. His presence on a Pumas team that is mid-table is the kind of roster move that gets attention in Mexico and none in the United States. He made one save in this game. It was a good one.

América is two points behind Cruz Azul with two games in hand. The table says second place. The schedule says they will be first by December. The draw at Pumas is a dropped point, but it does not change the trajectory.

What I think

This was a good game. Two penalties, two goals in the first four minutes, and a goalkeeper with a Champions League resume. Liga MX is more entertaining than MLS, and it is not close. The pace is faster, the crowds are louder, and the quality is higher.

América is the best team in Mexico. They should win the league. The draw at Pumas is a reminder that rivalry games are different. Pumas does not need to be good to get a result at home against América. The crowd carries them. That is what happened here.