Cruz Azul put a stop to Chivas’ undefeated record in the Clausura 2026 after defeating them by a 2-1 score. In a repeat performance from their Liguilla clash in late 2025, a late goal gave Cruz Azul the victory and although Chivas remained in first place, they are only two points above Cruz Azul now. Chivas will have as tough a test next week when they travel to face off against current Liga MX champions Toluca while Cruz Azul will also have a tough visit, when they face off against Monterrey.
The 1st half started with Chivas still having Diego Campillo taking the place of the injured Luis Romo. A shot from outside the area from Agustin Palavecino would go just wide. After Palavecino pushed Daniel Aguirre, there was a small scuffle that ended with both players getting Yellow cards. A shot inside the area from Gabriel Fernandez would go wide. After Chivas lost the ball just outside the area, the ball would fall eventually to Jose Paradela but his left footed shot would go wide. Off a free kick, Efrain Alvarez got off a cross that turned into a shot that forced Cruz Azul’s goalkeeper, Andres Gudiño, to make a good save. A deflected ball fell into the area but Armando Gonzalez failed to get to the ball, wasting a good chance. Off a free kick, the cross into the area from Palavecino would find Gabriel Fernandez, who got off a header past Chivas’ goalkeeper, Raul Rangel, and into the net to score and give Cruz Azul the 1-0 lead. A good pass in the area found Daniel Aguirre but his right footed shot was blocked by Cruz Azul’s defense. After a good run into the area, Roberto Alvarado got past two defenders and got off a left footed shot that would go just wide. Another great run, this time by Omar Govea, ended with the midfielder getting off a left footed shot that went wide. The halftime whistle blew and although Chivas had worked hard in the final minutes, they had failed to get the tie as Cruz Azul kept their advantage.
The 2nd half started with Chivas and Cruz Azul not making any changes during the break. A good cross into the area was just out of reach of Carlos Rodriguez, who would have had a close range chance had he gotten to it. Chivas subbed out Efrain Alvarez, Omar Govea and Jose Castillo for Brian Gutierrez, Hugo Camberos and Angel Sepulveda. Cruz Azul subbed out Erik Lira for Amaury Garcia. Carlos Rotondi would get into the area and get off a left footed shot past Rangel to score but it was ruled offside. A great thru pass found Fernandez but a diving slide took the ball off his feet. A left footed shot from Rotondi was easily saved by Rangel. Off a free kick, a left footed shot from Alvarado would force Gudiño to make a good save. Cruz Azul subbed out Gabriel Fernandez for Nicolas Ibañez. After getting the ball in the area, Camberos got off a good low shot that was just deflected wide by Willer Ditta. Aguirre would get the ball in the area and looked like was dropped by a defender but nothing was given. A good cross in the area was headed wide by Gonzalez. Camberos got off a great right footed shot form outside the area that would hit the post. Off a counter, Jeremy Marquez got off a right footed shot in the area that went just wide. Cruz Azul subbed out Jorge Rodarte and Jose Paradela for Omar Campos and Luka Romero. Chivas subbed out Armando Gonzalez for Ricardo Marin. Almost immediately Chivas would have a counter in which Marin got off a cross into the area where Angel Sepulveda would head the ball past Gudiño to score and tie the match at 1-1. Chivas continued to go at it and it looked like they were going to end up strong. On a corner kick, the cross into the area would be headed from close range by Carlos Rodriguez past Rangel to score and give Cruz Azul the 2-1 lead. It was a total surprise as Chivas looked like they had taken control of the match and were at their best level but were surprised by some lousy defending. Chivas subbed out Richard Ledezma for Santiago Sandoval. A cross into the area found a wide open Alvarado but his header went wide in a bad miss. Off a counter, the ball would fall for Camberos but his right footed shot would go wide. It would be the last chance as Cruz Azul got the victory and ended Chivas’s chances of an undefeated season.
After a great start, Chivas’ winning streak comes to an end at 6 games. Coincidentally it came at the hands of Cruz Azul, the team who had last beaten them in a match when they eliminated Chivas from the Liguilla in the Apertura 2025. Chivas gave a great performance but after looking like they have taken control of the match and getting the tie, a very bad defensive mistake allowed Rodriguez, who is far from a tall player, to get a header and give Cruz Azul the victory. Cruz Azul is now creeping on Chivas as they sit only two points away from them in the standings. The bad news for both sides is that they face two extremely tough away matches. Chivas will have to travel to Liga MX title holders, Toluca while Cruz Azul will travel to perennial candidate Monterrey’s home. It will be a very tough match for either sides as they both have great risk of dropping down in the standing with the level of difficulty in their matches.
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