Cruz Azul Stun Chivas with 0-0 Away Draw in Liga MX Quarterfinal First Leg
- Nov, 29 2025
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- Xander Westbrook
When the final whistle blew at Estadio Akron on November 27, 2025, the scoreboard read 0-0 — a result that felt like a victory for one team and a near-disaster for the other. Cruz Azul, the visiting side from Mexico City, held firm against a relentless CD Guadalajara (Chivas) to secure a priceless 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Liga MX Apertura playoff quarterfinal. The match, which ended at 02:07 UTC after 90+4 minutes of intense football, wasn’t pretty, but it was tactical, gritty, and potentially season-defining.
Chivas Dominated, But Couldn’t Convert
From the opening whistle, Chivas looked like the team determined to seize control. They pressed high, moved the ball with purpose, and carved out chance after chance. Daniel Aguirre (No. 23) and Érick Gutiérrez (No. 15) were the engine room, threading passes through Cruz Azul’s compact midfield. At the 26th minute, Aguirre’s reckless tackle earned him a yellow — a sign of Chivas’ urgency, not just their aggression. The first half was all Guadalajara. According to FMFStateOfMind, "Chivas was the overly superior side in the 1st [half]." And yet, the scoreboard stayed blank.
By the 62nd minute, the pressure intensified. Luis Romo (No. 17) fouled to break up a Cruz Azul counter. Minutes later, Teun Wilke (No. 29) fired a curler just wide. The crowd of 49,850 at Estadio Akron roared — but the ball refused to find the net. Even when Miguel Gómez (No. 24) headed a cross from Aguirre at 90+1’, it sailed inches left of the post. That was Chivas’ best chance. And it wasn’t enough.
Cruz Azul’s Defensive Masterclass
For all of Chivas’ possession — 63% by some estimates — Cruz Azul didn’t just sit back. They absorbed, countered, and disrupted. Their backline, anchored by J. Márquez and W. Ditta, turned away every dangerous ball. Midfielder L. Romo (No. 17) committed a foul at 66’, but it was a desperate act — not a sign of collapse. When substitutions came, they were calculated: A. Mozo replaced B. González at 84’, tightening the defense. J. Hernández came on for E. Alvarez at 78’, adding grit. And at 88’, L. Romero was replaced by J. Paradela — a tactical swap to preserve energy for the second leg.
They didn’t need to score. They needed to survive. And they did.
The Strategic Advantage Shifts
Here’s the thing: Chivas played like they were already in the semifinals. Cruz Azul played like they knew they had the upper hand. And they did. The away draw means Cruz Azul only needs to avoid a two-goal loss at their home ground, Estadio Azteca, on December 1, 2025, to advance. Win 1-0? They’re through. Lose 2-1? Still through. Even a 3-2 defeat would send them through on away goals.
Chivas? They need to win by two goals — or win by one and force extra time. That’s a tall order against a team that’s proven it can defend under pressure. The psychological weight is now on Guadalajara’s shoulders. They’ve been here before — remember the 2023 Apertura semifinal against Tigres, where they led 2-0 at home and lost 3-1 on aggregate? History doesn’t always repeat, but it rhymes.
What This Means for the Tournament
This draw reshapes the entire playoff picture. With only eight teams left, every result carries weight. Cruz Azul, a club with eight league titles but no championship since 2013, now has a real shot at ending their drought. Chivas, the most popular team in Mexico, hasn’t won the Liga MX since 2006. Both clubs are hungry. But only one can advance.
The second leg won’t just be about tactics — it’ll be about nerves. Will Chivas’ fans, who filled Estadio Akron to capacity, silence themselves when the whistle blows in Mexico City? Will Cruz Azul’s midfielders, who spent 90 minutes chasing shadows, have the legs to press again?
Key Players Who Made the Difference
- Raúl Rangel (Chivas GK, #1) — Made two critical saves in the 35th and 74th minutes, including a point-blank stop from S. Sandoval.
- J. Márquez (Cruz Azul DF) — Played every minute, blocked three clear shots, and won 7/9 duels.
- Miguel Gómez (Chivas MF, #24) — Came on at 78’, created one chance, but couldn’t finish.
- A. Mozo (Cruz Azul DF, #2) — Replaced Bryan González at 84’ and shut down Chivas’ right flank for the final 10 minutes.
What’s Next?
The second leg on December 1, 2025, at Estadio Azteca will be a spectacle. With over 80,000 fans expected, the atmosphere will be electric. Chivas will need to attack — but at what cost? If they push too hard, Cruz Azul’s counterattack, led by S. Sandoval and J. Paradela, could punish them. The referee will be under scrutiny — three yellow cards were issued in the first leg, and tempers are rising.
One thing’s certain: this series isn’t over. But the momentum? It’s with Cruz Azul.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a 0-0 draw better for Cruz Azul than for Chivas?
Because Cruz Azul earned the draw away from home, they only need to avoid losing by more than one goal in the second leg to advance. Even a 1-0 loss at Estadio Azteca sends them through on away goals. Chivas, however, must win by at least two goals to avoid extra time — a much harder task against a team that’s already proven it can defend under pressure.
Has Cruz Azul ever advanced to the semifinals after a 0-0 away draw in the playoffs?
Yes. In the 2021 Apertura playoffs, Cruz Azul drew 0-0 away at Club América and won the second leg 2-1 at Estadio Azteca to reach the final. That run ended in a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss, but the blueprint is there: solid defense at the opponent’s stadium, then a controlled attack at home.
Who holds the advantage in head-to-head playoff meetings between Chivas and Cruz Azul?
Cruz Azul leads the playoff head-to-head record 4-2 since 2005, including a 2017 quarterfinal where they won 3-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw in Guadalajara. Chivas has won the last two regular-season meetings in 2025, but playoff pressure changes dynamics — history favors the visitors this time.
How does the away goals rule apply in this series?
Liga MX still uses away goals as a tiebreaker in two-legged knockout ties. If the aggregate score is level after 180 minutes, the team with more away goals advances. That’s why Cruz Azul’s 0-0 draw in Guadalajara is so valuable — they now have one away goal to Chivas’ zero. Even a 1-1 aggregate would send Cruz Azul through.
What’s at stake for the winner of this series?
The winner faces either Tigres UANL or Club León in the semifinals. The ultimate prize is a spot in the 2025-26 Liga BBVA MX Apertura final — and the chance to end a long title drought. For Chivas, it’s their first final appearance since 2018. For Cruz Azul, it’s their first since 2019. Both want to be the team that breaks the cycle.
Why did Chivas struggle to score despite dominating possession?
Cruz Azul’s compact 5-4-1 shape in the final third disrupted Chivas’ rhythm. The midfielders dropped deep to block passing lanes, and the fullbacks stayed narrow, denying crosses. Chivas relied too much on individual brilliance — like Wilke’s isolated runs — rather than sustained build-up. When the final third broke down, their final ball lacked precision. Cruz Azul’s discipline trumped their creativity.