Cruz Azul Draw at Chivas Gives Edge in Liga MX Playoff Battle as Larcamón Warns of Tough Return Leg

When Cruz Azul held Chivas to a 0-0 draw at Estadio Akron on November 28, 2025, it wasn’t just a result—it was a statement. The Argentine coach Nicolás Larcamón, leading Cruz Azul through one of Mexican football’s most brutal rivalries, walked out of Guadalajara with a smile, not because his team dominated, but because they survived. "Chivas was strong here," he said in his post-match presser, just after midnight local time. "We managed to bring that result for the second match of the series." And in the high-stakes world of Liga MX playoffs, that’s often enough. The match, part of the Apertura Playoffs’ first leg, ended in confusion. SoyFutbol.com reported a 1-1 draw, while FMF State of Mind and Sofascore insisted it was 0-0. Fox Sports even listed the game as occurring on November 27. But the real story wasn’t the score—it was the tension. The crowd at Estadio Akron, packed with 49,850 roaring Chivas fans, expected blood. Instead, they got grit. Cruz Azul, known as Los Cementeros for their blue-and-white cement-worker roots, absorbed wave after wave of pressure. They didn’t dazzle. They endured.

Defensive Discipline Over Flash

Larcamón didn’t hide his pride in his backline. "Key saves and solidity in the backline were fundamental," he said. Goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera, though not mentioned in the stats, made two critical stops in the 32nd and 75th minutes, turning away long-range efforts from Chivas’ Alan Pulido and Jonathan Rodríguez. The defense, anchored by veteran Carlos Salcedo, held firm despite 14 shots from Chivas and five corner kicks. Even when José Márquez was booked for a late foul in the 93rd minute, Cruz Azul didn’t panic. They didn’t need to. The first half was messy—passing errors, misplaced crosses, a flurry of fouls. Walter Ditta (70') and Luis Romo (66') were both cautioned, and Ángel Sepúlveda was replaced at halftime by Germán Fernández, a tactical switch that stabilized the midfield. "The first half was more erratic," Larcamón admitted. "But we never lost shape. That’s the foundation we built over months."

Second-Half Turnaround

Then came the 62nd minute. Sergio Sandoval replaced Andrés González—a quiet sub, but a crucial one. Suddenly, Cruz Azul started moving the ball with purpose. By the 78th, Jonathan Hernández had entered for Enrique Álvarez, injecting pace down the left. And at 84’, Ángel Mozo came on for Bryan González, adding width. The substitutions weren’t flashy, but they were surgical. By the 80th minute, Cruz Azul had controlled 57% of possession, compared to just 38% in the first half. "We started to flow better with the ball," Larcamón noted. "That’s when you know you’re starting to play like a team, not just a collection of players." It wasn’t pretty. But it was effective.

The Rivalry That Never Sleeps

This wasn’t just another playoff game. It was Chivas (founded 1906) versus Cruz Azul (founded 1927)—two institutions with decades of hatred, pride, and history. Chivas fans see themselves as Mexico’s "people’s team," while Cruz Azul carries the identity of the working class, the unionized, the underestimated. Their meetings are emotional, physical, and often brutal. The last time they met in the playoffs, in 2021, Cruz Azul won on away goals after a 2-2 aggregate. That memory still haunts Guadalajara. And now, with the return leg at Estadio de Ciudad Universitaria in Mexico City, Cruz Azul holds the upper hand—not because they scored, but because they didn’t concede.

What’s Next? The Home Advantage

The away goals rule is gone in Liga MX playoffs since 2023. Now, it’s pure aggregate. If it’s 0-0 again in Mexico City, we go to extra time. And if it’s still tied? Penalties. "We still have a second match, extremely tough," Larcamón warned. "The job isn’t finished." He’s right. Chivas will come out swinging at Ciudad Universitaria. They’ll need to score. And they’ll know Cruz Azul will sit deep, wait, and strike on counters. Cruz Azul’s players, meanwhile, are already mentally preparing. "We know what this means," said midfielder Manuel Bogusz, who came on at 67’. "This is why we joined this club. Not for the money. For the legacy."

Why This Matters

For Mexican football, this series is a barometer. Chivas is trying to reclaim its glory days. Cruz Azul, despite winning the 2021 Clausura, hasn’t lifted a trophy since 2014. Both teams are desperate. And with the Semifinals on the line, every tackle, every substitution, every minute of extra time carries weight. The winner will face either Tigres UANL or Club América—two giants. But first, they must survive each other.

Behind the Scenes: The Numbers

• Chivas: 14 shots, 5 corners, 38% possession in first half
• Cruz Azul: 7 shots, 2 corners, 57% possession in second half
• 11 substitutions made across both teams
• 5 yellow cards issued
• Estadio Akron attendance: 49,850 (sold out)
• Return leg: December 5, 2025, Estadio de Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City

For Cruz Azul, the goal isn’t just to advance. It’s to prove they’re more than just a team that survives. It’s to show they can win when it counts. And Larcamón knows: they haven’t hit their peak yet.