If you’ve spent any time following Liga MX, you know that some games look predictable on paper and then turn into absolute chaos the moment the whistle blows. That’s exactly what happens whenever Querétaro F.C. vs Pumas UNAM shows up on the calendar. On one side, you have the "Pumas" of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), a team with a massive fanbase, seven league titles, and the weight of history. On the other, the "Gallos Blancos" of Querétaro, a club that has basically become the league’s ultimate survivor, constantly reinventing itself against the odds.
Honestly, people usually write off Querétaro when they head to Mexico City. Playing at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario at noon is a nightmare. The heat, the altitude, and that massive pitch make it feel like you’re running through sand. But if you look at their most recent clash on January 11, 2026, the script didn’t quite go according to plan.
The January 2026 Stalemate: What Really Happened
The start of the Clausura 2026 season threw us a curveball. Pumas hosted Querétaro in Round 1, and while most experts expected a comfortable home win, we got a gritty 1-1 draw.
It was one of those games where momentum shifted like a pendulum. Adalberto Carrasquilla—who has been a revelation for Pumas—finally broke the deadlock in the 49th minute. For a second there, it looked like the University team was going to cruise. They had the possession (roughly 67% at times) and they were pinging the ball around with a lot of confidence.
But here's the thing about Querétaro under their current management: they don't quit. Mateo Coronel, who came on as a sub for Lucas Rodríguez, found the equalizer in the 71st minute. It wasn't flashy, but it was effective.
- Final Score: Pumas 1 - 1 Querétaro
- Key Scorers: Carrasquilla (UNAM), Mateo Coronel (QRO)
- Venue: Estadio Olímpico Universitario
- Drama Factor: High. We saw injuries to key players like Rubén Duarte, which forced Pumas to shuffle their deck earlier than they wanted.
Why Pumas UNAM Can’t Seem to Shake the Gallos Blancos
You’ve gotta wonder why a team with the resources of Pumas struggles to put Querétaro away. Historically, Pumas has the upper hand in the trophy cabinet, but in head-to-head matchups over the last couple of years, it's surprisingly balanced.
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Pumas usually relies on their youth academy (La Cantera) and some high-profile international signings. This season, seeing Keylor Navas in goal for Pumas is still a bit surreal for most fans. Having a legend like that between the posts gives you a psychological edge, but even Navas couldn't stop Coronel's clinical finish in their last meeting.
Querétaro, meanwhile, plays a very different game. They are masters of the "suffer and strike" tactic. They'll sit back, soak up pressure for 60 minutes, and then hit you on a counter-attack or a set piece when your lungs are burning from the Mexico City air.
Recent Form and Tactical Shifts
If we look at the last five matches for both sides leading into 2026, the contrast is wild.
Pumas had been scoring fairly well—averaging nearly two goals a game—but their defense is prone to these weird "mental lapses" where they switch off for five minutes and concede.
Querétaro’s form has been a rollercoaster. They’d lose 4-0 to Toluca one week and then pull off a 1-0 win against Chivas the next. You never know which version of the Gallos is going to show up. In the January 11th match, they showed a lot of tactical discipline. They forced Pumas to play wide and cross the ball into a crowded box, which played right into the hands of defenders like Lucas Abascia and Diego Reyes.
The Stars That Defined the Matchup
When we talk about Querétaro F.C. vs Pumas UNAM, it’s the individual battles that usually decide the outcome.
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Adalberto Carrasquilla (Pumas): He’s basically the engine room. If he’s having a good day, Pumas dominates. In the 1-1 draw, he was the highest-rated player on the pitch, nearly hitting a 9.0 rating. His ability to transition from defense to attack is arguably the best in the league right now.
Guillermo Allison (Querétaro): You cannot talk about this game without mentioning the goalkeeper. Allison made several crucial saves, including a one-handed stop against Jorge Ruvalcaba that would have ended the game right there.
Mateo Coronel (Querétaro): Coming off the bench to score is the definition of "super-sub." He’s adapted to Mexican soccer incredibly fast and seems to have a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
Breaking Down the "Noon Game" Myth
There's this long-standing tradition (or curse, depending on who you ask) that Pumas plays their home games at 12:00 PM on Sundays. Fans love it because of the tradition, but players—even Pumas players—kinda hate it.
The sun reflects off the volcanic rock of the stadium, and the oxygen feels thin. It usually leads to a slower first half followed by a chaotic second half as players get tired and spaces open up. This is exactly what we saw in their most recent clash. The first half was a bit of a chess match, scoreless and cautious. The second half? That's when the goals and the substitutions started flying.
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What This Means for Your Betting and Analysis
If you’re looking at this matchup for future fixtures, stop looking solely at the league table. Querétaro is a "trap" team. They play better against big opponents because they thrive on being the underdog.
- Look for the "Both Teams to Score" (BTTS) market: In their last several meetings, both teams have found the back of the net more often than not.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Pumas lost José Macías and Guillermo Martínez to injuries recently. When their frontline is thin, they struggle to convert possession into goals.
- Live Betting is Key: Because of the altitude and timing of these games, the last 20 minutes are usually where the most action happens. If the score is 1-0 at the 70th minute, don't be surprised by a late equalizer.
Looking Ahead: The Return Leg
The next time these two meet will likely be at the Estadio Corregidora. The dynamic flips there. Querétaro will be forced to be the protagonist, and Pumas will have more space to use the speed of guys like Ruvalcaba and Robert Morales.
What we've learned from the January 2026 opener is that the gap between the "big" clubs and the "smaller" ones in Liga MX is closing. Tactics and fitness are starting to outweigh raw budget. Pumas might have the history, but Querétaro has the grit.
To get the most out of following this rivalry, keep an eye on the mid-week training reports. Pumas tends to struggle when they have a short turnaround between games, while Querétaro has shown they can grind out results even when their squad is stretched thin. Check the official Liga MX app for the next confirmed kickoff time, as TV schedules in Mexico can shift last-minute based on broadcasting rights with TUDN or Vix+.