MEXICO CITY — Rodolfo Rotondi took on the role of the antagonist in 2024 by giving away a penalty that cost Cruz Azul the championship. However, he made amends on Sunday.
Rotondi netted a last-minute goal, leading Cruz Azul to a 2-1 victory over Pumas and securing the title in Mexico’s Clausura tournament.
Paraguayan midfielder Robert Morales opened the scoring with a long-range shot in the 30th minute, giving the home side a lead, but an own goal in the 53rd minute equalized the match. Rotondi then scored the decisive goal in a nail-biting finish.
“Winning the championship feels like a form of revenge, a release,” Rotondi reflected, having been responsible for the penalty in the 2024 Clausura final against América. “I endured a lot of pressure, but I held back my comments, stayed focused, and worked hard. Now, it’s time to truly savor this moment.”
La Maquina claimed its first championship since the 2021 Clausura tournament, marking a total of 10 titles, second only to the legendary Mexican teams America (16) and Chivas and Toluca (12).
“I faced significant challenges, but my faith never wavered, even when competing at such a high level became a struggle,” Rotondi continued. “We’ve waited two long years for this moment, and it has finally arrived.”
Cruz Azul, a beloved team in Mexico, clinched the title under interim coach Joel Huiqui, who stepped in during the penultimate round of the regular season following the firing of Nicolas Larcamon.
Huiqui made history as the first Mexican coach to win the Liga MX title since Ignacio Ambriz led León to victory in the Apertura 2020.
Pumas, coached by Efrain Juarez, sought their eighth title and first since the Clausura 2011 tournament.
The match ended for Pumas with just nine players after the expulsions of Uriel Antuna in the 90th minute and Angel Rico in the 97th minute.
This report includes information from The Associated Press.