The Liga MX Apertura 2025 season’s third jornada kicked off with a highly anticipated clash at the Estadio Corregidora, where Querétaro hosted Pumas UNAM. The match, played on Friday, July 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM Central Mexico time, carried significant weight for both teams, as they entered the fixture at the bottom of the league table, each without a single point after two consecutive defeats. Pumas, in particular, had struggled defensively, conceding six goals in their opening two matches, while Querétaro’s last outing saw them fall 3-1 to Necaxa. (Milenio)
All eyes were on Pumas’ new marquee signing, Costa Rican international goalkeeper Keylor Navas. The arrival of the Champions League winner, described as a ‘bombazo’ (blockbuster signing) for Mexican football, generated immense excitement among fans and pundits alike. Navas, who arrived in Mexico on Wednesday morning to finalize his move, was immediately thrust into action, making his debut as a starter and captain for the Universitario side. His presence was expected to provide much-needed leadership and stability to a Pumas team desperate to turn their fortunes around. (TV Azteca Deportes)
From the outset, the match saw a balanced exchange, but Pumas gradually asserted their dominance. The breakthrough came in the 14th minute when Guillermo Martínez found the back of the net for Pumas. The forward capitalized on a corner kick, heading the ball past Querétaro’s goalkeeper to open the scoring. This crucial goal gave Pumas a vital lead and marked a significant moment in their quest for their first points of the season. (ESPN Deportes)
Following the goal, Pumas maintained control of the game, dictating the pace and limiting Querétaro’s opportunities. Keylor Navas, despite the high anticipation surrounding his debut, had a relatively quiet first half, with his first intervention coming just three minutes into the match. Pumas’ defensive line, bolstered by the new goalkeeper, managed to keep Querétaro’s attacks at bay. The first half saw a couple of cautions, with José Caicedo of Pumas receiving a yellow card in the 28th minute for a foul in midfield, and Jhojan Julio of Querétaro also booked in the 45th minute for dangerous play. As the whistle blew for halftime, the score stood at Querétaro 0, Pumas UNAM 1. (Mediotiempo)
The match was exclusively broadcast on Tubi, a free streaming platform, making it accessible to a wide audience. Pre-match betting odds from various platforms, including Caliente.mx and RushBet, had favored Pumas despite their poor start, reflecting confidence in their squad and perhaps the ‘Navas effect.’ For Querétaro, a win would have been historic, marking their first consecutive victories against Pumas since January 2013. However, as the teams headed into the locker rooms, Pumas held the advantage, setting the stage for an intriguing second half as both sides continued their battle for a much-needed victory in the Apertura 2025 campaign.
