Cruz Azul Secures Semifinal Berth in Liga MX Apertura 2025 Liguilla
Mexico City witnessed a dramatic conclusion to the Liga MX Apertura 2025 quarterfinals as Cruz Azul battled Chivas de Guadalajara to a 2-2 draw in the second leg at Estadio Azteca on December 1, 2025. This result, combined with a goalless draw in the first leg, saw Cruz Azul advance to the semifinals on a 2-2 aggregate score, leveraging their superior regular-season league finish.
First Leg Sets the Stage for Tense Decider
The quarterfinal series kicked off on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at Chivas’ home ground, Estadio Akron in Zapopan. The initial encounter was a tight, low-scoring affair, ending in a 0-0 stalemate. Despite being the away team, Cruz Azul demonstrated a more aggressive offensive approach, registering 16 shots with four on target, compared to Chivas’ eight shots and one on target. Chivas, however, maintained slightly more possession with 54%.
This result handed Cruz Azul a crucial advantage heading into the return leg. As the higher-ranked team from the regular season (3rd place with 35 points, compared to Chivas’ 6th place with 29 points), a draw in the second leg would be enough for La Máquina to progress. Chivas, on the other hand, needed an outright victory to secure their spot in the semifinals.
Second Leg Delivers High Drama at Estadio Azteca
The decisive second leg, held at the iconic Estadio Azteca, lived up to its billing as a high-stakes clash. The match saw both teams find the back of the net, culminating in a 2-2 draw. This outcome meant the aggregate score remained tied at 2-2, sending Cruz Azul through to the next round based on their better performance during the 17-match regular season.
Team Form and Key Absences
Cruz Azul entered the Liguilla after a consistent regular season, finishing 3rd with 35 points (10 wins, 5 draws, 2 losses). Their campaign included an impressive undefeated start, as reported by digitaltrendstoday.com. However, they faced challenges with several key players sidelined. Goalkeeper Kevin Mier is out until April 2026 due to a leg injury, while Jorge Rodarte and Carlos Rotondi were also nursing injuries. Midfielder Lorenzo Faravelli missed the second leg due to a red-card suspension.
Chivas, under Gabriel Milito, concluded the regular season in strong form, securing 6th place with 29 points (9 wins, 2 draws, 6 losses). They were particularly formidable in the lead-up to the playoffs, winning seven of their last eight league games. Their attack was spearheaded by Armando González, who was a co-Golden Boot winner with 12 goals. Chivas was without Diego Campillo due to injury.
Historical Context and What’s Next
The rivalry between Cruz Azul and Chivas has a rich history, with 64 previous encounters resulting in a remarkably even record. Historically, Cruz Azul held a slight edge with 21 wins to Chivas’ 19, alongside 24 draws. Their most recent regular-season meeting on August 30, 2025, saw Cruz Azul defeat Chivas 2-1 at Estadio Akron, as highlighted by digitaltrendstoday.com. The last time these two giants met in the Liguilla quarterfinals was in the 2006 Apertura, where Chivas advanced with a 4-2 aggregate score.
With this hard-fought victory, Cruz Azul now looks ahead to the Liga MX Apertura 2025 semifinals, while Chivas’ Liguilla journey comes to an end. The series underscored the importance of regular-season performance in the Liga MX playoff format, proving that every point matters.
Where to Watch
For fans in the United States, the quarterfinal matches were broadcast on a variety of platforms, including Univision Network, TUDN, ViX, CBS Sports Network, Univision NOW, Vix Premium Deportes 4, fuboTV, DirecTV Stream, Peacock Premium, and Universo. In Mexico, viewers could tune in via ViX, TUDN, and Canal 5.
