Thanks to an absolutely spectacular goal by Javier Cortes deep into the second half, Pumas UNAM are the winners of the 2011 Clausura and now the reigning champions of Mexico, thanks to their 2-1 win on the night and their 3-2 aggregate victory over Monarcas Morelia in the Liguilla final. The referee was the early story in the game, making some questionable decisions on penalty kicks, but there was nothing controversial about the winning goal, which was scored from open play in absolutely stunning fashion.
Pumas UNAM Vs. Monarcas Morelia, 2011 Liguilla Final: Javier Cortes Wonder Goal Gives Pumas 3-2 Aggregate Win, Clausura Title
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Pumas looked to be in good shape to take the title at home. They opened the scoring in the 14th minute through a Francisco ‘Paco’ Palencia goal, a penalty kick given after a Federico Vilar foul on Dante Lopez. It looked like Morelia were about to find an equalizer just a minute later, but the referee did not give a penalty when Miguel Sabah was fouled in the box, and instead incorrectly booked Sabah for diving.
The visitors would find their equalizer, though, and it may have been a bit of a make-up call after Sabah was wrongly booked for diving. The Morelia striker went up for a 50-50 challenge with Alejandro Palacios, and the Pumas goalkeeper won the ball cleanly. However, the referee judged the incidental contact afterwards to be a foul, and Jaime Lozano stepped up and converted the penalty to equalize.
The winner came late, in the 77th minute, and it was an absolutely stunning goal. Javier Cortes, who had been looking dangerous for the entirety of the second half, beat three defenders on the right wing - including one with a fabulous nutmeg - before scoring from 10 yards out with an amazing narrow angle strike. It was a stunning goal for the 21-year-old, and a fitting winner for a final.
This championship is the seventh in the history of Pumas UNAM, and it will be received as a well deserved one, as they were arguably the best team in Mexico for the entirety of the tournament.
For coverage of the 2011 Clausura's Liguilla final and content on all things Mexican football, head over to SB Nation's Mexican football blog, FMF State Of Mind.
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