Querétaro Vs. Cruz Azul Match Sparks Controversy In Liga MX
Querétaro Vs. Cruz Azul Match Sparks Controversy In Liga MX...
A heated Liga MX clash between Querétaro and Cruz Azul has gone viral in the U.S. after a controversial penalty decision altered the match's outcome. The incident occurred during Saturday night's game at Estadio Corregidora, where Cruz Azul secured a 2-1 victory after a disputed late-game penalty call.
Fans across social media are debating the referee's decision, with many U.S.-based viewers joining the conversation due to Liga MX's growing popularity stateside. The match trended on X (formerly Twitter) with over 150,000 mentions, as replays showed minimal contact on the penalty play.
Cruz Azul's Uriel Antuna converted the 89th-minute penalty, overturning Querétaro's early lead from a Pablo Barrera goal. The result pushes Cruz Azul into playoff contention while leaving Querétaro near the bottom of the table.
Liga MX officials have not commented on the controversy, but the league's U.S. broadcast partner TUDN replayed the sequence multiple times during post-game analysis. The match drew strong ratings in border states like California and Texas, where Liga MX consistently outperforms MLS in viewership.
This incident comes as Liga MX prepares for summer friendlies across U.S. stadiums, including a Cruz Azul match at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in July. The league's stateside popularity continues growing, with 2026 marking the first year Liga MX matches will outnumber MLB games on U.S. Spanish-language television.
Querétaro fans have launched an online petition demanding VAR implementation, which Liga MX plans to introduce fully next season. Meanwhile, Cruz Azul supporters argue the call balanced out earlier non-calls, pointing to a potential handball that went unpenalized.
The controversy highlights increasing American interest in Mexican soccer drama, particularly in markets with large Mexican-American populations. With both teams scheduled for U.S. exhibitions this summer, the rivalry could gain new stateside followers from this viral moment.
