The Clausura 2024 Play-In is set to showcase some exciting matchups as four teams battle it out for the last two spots in the Liguilla. Pachuca will face Pumas in a crucial showdown, with the winner advancing to face Cruz Azul in the quarterfinals. The loser will have another chance to qualify by taking on the winner of the match between Necaxa and Querétaro.
Pachuca finished in seventh place with 29 points, while Pumas secured the eighth spot with 27 points. Pumas will be looking to make their mark in the Play-In after narrowly missing out on direct qualification to the Liguilla.
The first leg between Pachuca and Pumas is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 2, at the Hidalgo stadium. However, Pachuca has requested to move the match to Friday, May 3, to allow for more rest time. The decision is currently under review by Liga MX.
In a previous encounter, Pumas emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Pachuca, setting the stage for an intense rematch in the Play-In. This will be the fifth time the two teams face each other in the final phase of Liga MX, with both sides eager to secure a spot in the Liguilla.
The second Play-In match will see Necaxa take on Querétaro at the Victoria stadium in Aguascalientes. Necaxa narrowly missed out on direct qualification due to a defeat against Monterrey, while Querétaro secured the tenth spot despite a winless run in their last three games.
The matchup between Necaxa and Querétaro will be a rare occurrence in the final stages of Liga MX, as they have only faced each other once before. In the 2019 Apertura quarterfinals, Necaxa emerged victorious with a convincing aggregate score of 2-6. Both teams will be looking to make their mark in the Play-In and secure a spot in the Liguilla.
Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting Play-In matchups as the teams battle it out for a place in the Liguilla.