Penalty Drama in Mexico City: Pumas Outlast Orlando City in Intense Leagues Cup Shootout (4-3)

Alonso Contreras
Aug 1
2 min read

Carrasquilla scores twice, Navas the hero in penalties as Pumas advance

In a heart-pounding Leagues Cup Round of 32 clash, Pumas UNAM edged past Orlando City 5-4 on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw at full time. The match had everything—hard tackles, yellow cards, crucial saves, and a nerve-shredding shootout that ultimately saw the Mexican side triumph at Estadio Olímpico Universitario.

First Half: Orlando Strike First

The match opened at a frenetic pace, and it didn’t take long for the visitors to break through. In the 5th minute, Rodrigo Schlegel rose above the Pumas defense and nodded home a pinpoint corner from Martín Ojeda, giving Orlando City a 1-0 lead with an xG of just 5%.

Pumas responded with aggression, but despite several chances—most notably efforts from Guillermo Martínez and Pedro Vite—they were unable to beat Orlando’s veteran goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, who stood firm throughout the first half.

By halftime, tensions were high, with five yellow cards already handed out as the match teetered on the edge of control.

Second Half: Carrasquilla Equalizes

Pumas came out pressing in the second half, finally finding the breakthrough in the 80th minute. Coco Carrasquilla received a clever assist from Piero Quispe and finished confidently into the bottom right corner (xG 46%) to level the match at 1-1, igniting the home crowd.

Despite a flurry of late substitutions and chances for both sides—including a sharp save by Gallese in stoppage time—neither team could find a winner in regulation, sending the match straight to penalties.

Penalty Shootout: Navas vs Gallese

The shootout began with drama:

Orlando’s Eduard Atuesta missed the first kick, smashing the bar.
Pumas’ Guillermo Martínez had his shot saved by Gallese.
Both teams traded goals, including strong finishes by Martín Ojeda, Álvaro Angulo, Kyle Smith, and Nathan Silva.

Then came the decisive moment: César Araújo’s attempt for Orlando was stopped by Keylor Navas, giving Pumas the edge.Moments later, Coco Carrasquilla calmly stepped up and buried the final penalty (xG 77%) into the left side netting, sealing a dramatic 5-4 win.

Man of the Match: Keylor Navas

The Costa Rican legend made the game-winning save in the shootout and stayed composed under pressure. His performance was instrumental in Pumas’ progression to the Round of 16.

Match Stats:

Final Score (Regulation): Pumas 1 - 1 Orlando City
Penalty Shootout: Pumas 5 - 4 Orlando City
Shots on Target: Pumas 7 - 4 Orlando
xG (Regulation): Pumas 1.69 - 1.14 Orlando
Yellow Cards: 9 total (Pumas 3, Orlando 6)
Possession: 52% Pumas - 48% Orlando

Postmatch Takeaway:

This was a true cup battle—physical, emotional, and dramatic. Orlando will be disappointed to exit despite a strong start and a solid performance from Gallese. Pumas, meanwhile, showed resilience, grit, and a calm edge in penalties.

With Carrasquilla shining and Navas standing tall, the Mexican side now marches into the next round, where they’ll look to ride this momentum deeper into the tournament.

🏁 Full Time: Pumas 1-1 Orlando City (Pumas win 5-4 on penalties)Goals: