The roar of 50,000 fans at the Estadio Akron fell silent in the 89th minute — not from a goal, but from the weight of what didn’t happen. On Thursday, November 27, 2025, Club Deportivo Guadalajara and Cruz Azul played out a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Liga MX Apertura 2025 quarterfinal, leaving the tie wide open and the pressure squarely on Chivas’s shoulders. The match, which kicked off at 8:07 p.m. Central Time, was a masterclass in missed chances, defensive grit, and the kind of tension only a historic rivalry can produce.
A Game of Near Misses and Lost Opportunities
Chivas came out firing. In the 18th minute, Bryan González broke through the center of Cruz Azul’s defense, sprinting into the box with only the goalkeeper to beat. His shot, rushed and slightly off-balance, curled wide by inches. Moments later, Armando González danced past two defenders on the left flank, cut inside, and fired a curler that forced Andrés Gudiño into a fingertip save. ESPN.com.mx captured the frustration perfectly: "Chivas was incisive from the start, but left the advantage on the pitch when Bryan González entered the box alone and fired wide. The other big chance came courtesy of Armando González, who made a brilliant individual run and forced Gudiño into a key stop." Cruz Azul, by contrast, looked sluggish in the first half. Their usual midfield control was absent. But in the final 15 minutes, they woke up. Jeremy Márquez slipped a through ball to Mateusz Bogusz, whose low drive rattled the post. A corner kick in the 87th minute nearly found Luka Romero at the far post — but the header skimmed just over the bar. The final whistle brought a collective sigh. No goals. No clear winner. Just a tie that could break either way in the return leg.Who Holds the Advantage? Position Matters
Here’s the twist: Cruz Azul finished third in the regular season with 35 points over 17 matches. Chivas, despite winning three of their last five games, ended sixth with a 9-2-6 record. That matters. Under Liga MX rules, if the aggregate score is level after 180 minutes, the higher-seeded team advances. So while Chivas must win outright on Sunday, Cruz Azul only needs a draw.That reality was not lost on Gabriel Milito, Chivas’s head coach. "We didn’t score, but we created more than enough," he said post-match. "Now we go to Mexico City knowing we have to win. That’s the challenge. And we’re ready." Meanwhile, Nicolás Larcamón, Cruz Azul’s coach, remained calm. "We knew it wouldn’t be easy. We’re happy with the clean sheet. Now we focus on playing our game in our stadium."
Missing Pieces and Tactical Shifts
Cruz Azul’s lineup was hit hard by absences. Goalkeeper Kevin Mier was sidelined with a hamstring injury, forcing backup Andrés Gudiño into the spotlight. Midfielder Lorenzo Faravelli was suspended after a yellow card accumulation — a blow to their transition game. Their midfield, usually so fluid, looked disjointed at times. Chivas, on the other hand, welcomed back Luis Romo, who added steel to the center of the park after returning from a two-game suspension.Lineups reflected the stakes. Chivas started with a 4-3-3: Raúl Rangel in goal, Daniel Aguirre and Jose Castillo anchoring the backline, Richard Ledezma and Fernando González dictating tempo. Cruz Azul countered with a 4-2-3-1, relying on Jeremy Márquez and Carlos Rodríguez to stretch the wings. The absence of Faravelli forced Rodolfo Rotondi into a deeper role, limiting their ability to press high.
A Rivalry Rekindled After 19 Years
This was the first time these two giants met in a playoff since the 2006 Clausura semifinals. Since then, Cruz Azul has dominated at home. In their last five meetings at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes and Estadio Azteca, Cruz Azul won four and drew one — including a 3-0 thrashing in the Clausura 2024. But this time, the tables turned. Chivas held their own on their home pitch, and for the first time in years, they enter the return leg with belief.That belief is backed by form. Chivas finished the regular season on a three-game winning streak, including a 4-2 demolition of Monterrey at the Akron. Cruz Azul, meanwhile, collapsed in their final match — losing 3-2 to Pumas — and slipped from first to third. Momentum, it seems, is on Chivas’s side.
What’s Next? The Return Leg in Mexico City
The second leg kicks off Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Central Time at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario. Chivas will need a 1-0 win to advance. A 2-1 victory would send them through on away goals. Any draw or loss, and their season ends. For Cruz Azul, a 0-0 or 1-1 result seals their semifinal berth. Even a 2-2 draw would still send them through — thanks to their superior regular-season standing.Television rights remain with Amazon Prime Video for the second leg, while ESPN.com.mx will offer live minute-by-minute updates. Attendance is expected to exceed 65,000 — the largest crowd at the university stadium since the 2022 final.
Why This Matters Beyond the Pitch
This isn’t just about semifinals. It’s about legacy. Chivas, once the most popular team in Mexico, has spent years rebuilding identity. A run to the final would signal a return to relevance. Cruz Azul, meanwhile, is chasing its first league title since 2021 — and their fans are desperate for redemption after years of heartbreak. The emotional stakes are as high as the tactical ones.And then there’s the weather. Forecasts predict a 60% chance of rain in Mexico City on Sunday. Wet pitch. Slippery ball. Fatigued legs. That could be the deciding factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if the second leg ends in a 1-1 draw?
If the second leg ends 1-1, Cruz Azul advances because they finished higher in the regular season standings (third vs. sixth). Liga MX rules prioritize regular-season position over away goals in two-legged ties. So even though Chivas scored away, Cruz Azul’s superior record gives them the edge.
Why didn’t Chivas score despite creating more chances?
Chivas lacked clinical finishing. Bryan González and Armando González had clear opportunities, but both rushed their shots under pressure. The team also missed the presence of injured striker Diego Lainez, who averages 0.7 goals per game. Without him, their final third lacked the precision needed to convert dominance into goals.
How did Cruz Azul manage to keep a clean sheet without Kevin Mier?
Backup goalkeeper Andrés Gudiño delivered a career-defining performance, making five key saves — including two point-blank stops from close-range Chivas headers. The defense, led by Ignacio Rivero and Willer Ditta, stayed compact and disciplined, cutting off central passing lanes. Their shape was more conservative than usual, but effective.
Can Chivas win at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario?
Yes — but it’s difficult. Chivas haven’t won at the university stadium since 2018. In their last five visits, they’ve lost four and drawn one. Cruz Azul’s home record this season is 8-2-1. Still, Chivas’s recent momentum and the pressure on Cruz Azul could create an upset. The rain forecast adds unpredictability — and opportunity.
Who are the key players to watch in the second leg?
For Chivas, Richard Ledezma — who created three key passes in the first leg — must dictate tempo. For Cruz Azul, Luka Romero is the wildcard; his pace on the counter could exploit Chivas’s high defensive line. Also watch Roberto Alvarado, Chivas’s left winger, who’s been their most consistent attacker this season.
Has this rivalry ever ended in a penalty shootout in the playoffs?
No. In their five previous playoff meetings, all were decided within regulation or extra time. The last time they met in a two-legged tie was the 2006 Clausura semifinals — Chivas won 3-2 on aggregate. Penalty shootouts are rare in Liga MX playoffs; the away goals rule and regular-season tiebreaker usually prevent them.
