The Chivas and Cruz Azul played out a tense, goalless draw in the first leg of their 2025 Apertura Liga MX Quarterfinals, leaving everything on the line for Sunday’s decisive second leg at Estadio Azteca. The match, held on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at Estadio AKRON in Zapopan, Jalisco, ended 0-0 despite Chivas dominating possession and creating at least five clear chances — including a pair of header attempts in the 22nd and 29th minutes that rattled the crossbar. The result gives Cruz Azul a narrow advantage heading into the return leg, where a draw or any win will send them through to the Semifinals. For Chivas, it’s win or go home.
Why This Match Matters More Than Most
This isn’t just another playoff clash. It’s a collision of identities. Chivas, founded in 1906 and famously built on a policy of fielding only Mexican-born players, carries the emotional weight of a nation’s fanbase. Their 2025 Apertura campaign was a redemption arc: after a sluggish start, they won seven of their final eight regular season matches, climbing from ninth to sixth place. Their momentum was real — so real that fans at Estadio AKRON were chanting "¡Vamos Chivas!" even after the final whistle, convinced they’d done enough.But Cruz Azul — the 1927-founded powerhouse with eight league titles — came in with something more tangible: a 35-point regular season haul, good for third overall. That meant home advantage in the second leg, and the psychological edge that comes with playing in front of 87,523 fans at the Estadio Azteca, a stadium that has hosted World Cup finals and legendary comebacks. The crowd will be loud. The pressure? Unrelenting.
The Tactical Tightrope
Chivas’ lineup — anchored by goalkeeper José Rangel and midfielders Luis Romo and Omar Govea — looked organized, disciplined. Forward Roberto Alvarado was isolated too often, and the lack of a true central striker hurt them in the final third. They had chances, sure — a curling free kick from Efraín Álvarez in the 3rd minute nearly deceived the Cruz Azul wall. But the finishing was off. And that’s the difference between a team that finishes strong and one that goes deep in the playoffs.Cruz Azul, meanwhile, played the classic away-game strategy: sit deep, absorb pressure, strike on the counter. Their captain, Jonathan Rodríguez, was a ghost for most of the match — but when he did get the ball in space, Chivas’ backline froze. That’s the danger. If Cruz Azul scores early in the second leg, Chivas will have to abandon their structure and open up. And that’s when the counterattack becomes lethal.
What’s at Stake Beyond the Semifinals
For Chivas, this is their best shot at a deep playoff run since the 2023 Clausura, when they lost in the semifinals to Tigres. Since then, they’ve been playoff also-rans — eliminated in the quarterfinals twice, once in the round of 16. A win here wouldn’t just mean advancing; it would signal a return to relevance.For Cruz Azul, it’s about legacy. They haven’t won a Liga MX title since 2021, and their fans are growing impatient. A deep run in 2025 could silence critics who say the club is stuck in transition. Their coach, Diego Cocca, has already hinted at keeping the same XI, despite rumors of a midfield shuffle. "We’re not here to defend," he told reporters after the first leg. "We’re here to win."
The Numbers Don’t Lie
- Chivas: 29 points in 17 regular season games (6th place)- Cruz Azul: 35 points in 17 games (3rd place)
- Chivas: 7 wins in last 8 regular season matches
- Estadio Azteca capacity: 87,523 (vs. Estadio AKRON’s 49,850)
- First leg: November 27, 2025, 8:07 p.m. local time
- Second leg: November 30, 2025, 8:00 p.m. local time (9:07 p.m. ET)
- Semifinals begin: December 3, 2025
- Away goals rule applies under FMF regulations
What Happens Next?
The second leg on Sunday will be a study in nerves. Chivas will need to score — at least one goal — to force extra time or penalties. If they score two, they win outright. But if they score just one and Cruz Azul answers? Then it’s off to extra time. And if Cruz Azul scores first? The entire stadium will erupt, and Chivas’ season will be hanging by a thread.Univision and TUDN will broadcast the match live across the U.S., and fans are already flooding social media with memes, chants, and predictions. One fan in Guadalajara put it simply: "We’ve waited too long to let this slip away."
Historical Context: A Rivalry That Never Sleeps
Though they haven’t met in the playoffs since 2019, Chivas and Cruz Azul have clashed in over 150 official matches. Cruz Azul holds a slight edge in wins, but Chivas fans remember 2007, when they eliminated them in the semifinals on away goals — a result that still echoes in the stands. This time, the roles are reversed. The home crowd is on the other side. The stakes? Higher than ever.Frequently Asked Questions
How does the away goals rule work in this series?
Under Mexican Football Federation rules, if the aggregate score is tied after both legs, the team that scored more goals away from home advances. Since the first leg ended 0-0, away goals don’t currently favor either side. But if Chivas wins 1-0 in Mexico City, they advance. If Cruz Azul wins 1-0, they advance. If it’s 1-1, the tiebreaker goes to extra time and penalties — not away goals.
Why is Cruz Azul hosting the second leg despite finishing only third?
Liga MX’s playoff format gives higher-seeded teams the advantage of hosting the second leg, regardless of which team is "home" in the first leg. Since Cruz Azul finished third (35 points) and Chivas sixth (29 points), Cruz Azul earned the right to host the decisive match. This rewards regular season performance and adds strategic weight to every point.
What’s the historical record between Chivas and Cruz Azul in playoff matches?
The two teams have met in the playoffs five times since 2000, with Cruz Azul winning three of those series and Chivas winning two. Their most famous playoff clash came in 2007, when Chivas eliminated Cruz Azul in the semifinals on away goals after a 2-2 aggregate draw. That series remains iconic among Chivas fans — and a painful memory for Cruz Azul supporters.
Can Chivas still win this series despite the 0-0 draw?
Absolutely. Chivas has won 11 of their last 14 home matches at Estadio AKRON this season, and their attacking trio of Alvarado, Armando Gonzalez, and Álvarez has been lethal in front of their own crowd. If they can score early in the second leg — even just one goal — they’ll force Cruz Azul to open up, creating space for counters. Momentum matters more than seeding here.
Who are the key players to watch in the second leg?
For Chivas, keep an eye on Efraín Álvarez — his set pieces and vision could unlock Cruz Azul’s low block. For Cruz Azul, Jonathan Rodríguez is the danger man; his pace on the counter could punish Chivas’ high line. Midfielder Luis Romo for Chivas and Julio César Domínguez for Cruz Azul will control the tempo — whoever dominates that battle likely controls the tie.
What happens if the second leg ends in a 0-0 draw?
If the second leg ends 0-0, the tie goes to extra time — two 15-minute halves — followed by penalties if needed. Since the first leg was also 0-0, away goals don’t apply as a tiebreaker. This is rare in Liga MX playoffs, but it’s happened before: in 2018, América and Tigres played two 0-0 legs and went to penalties, with América advancing. Expect a nerve-wracking 120 minutes.
