Liga MX Gameweek 8, Apertura
Cruz Azul 4 - 3 FT Club America
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
19' Erik Lira (José Paradela)
↓ Dagoberto Espinoza ↑Cristian Borja 29'
35' José Paradela (Carlos Rodriguez)
43' Nicolás Ibañez
45' Jesús Orozco (José Paradela)
↓ Isaias Violante ↑Álex Zendejas 45'
↓ Erick Sánchez ↑Ícaro Da Conceição 45'
45'+6 Jesús Orozco
Raphael Veiga 45'+6
45'+6 Nicolás Ibañez
Alan Cervantes 45'+6
HT
Brian Rodríguez 52'
57' ↓ Omar Campos ↑Carlos Rotondi
57' ↓ Nicolás Ibañez ↑Gabriel Fernández
60' Erik Lira
63' Ángel Márquez
69' ↓ Ángel Márquez ↑Alan Mozo
↓ Raphael Veiga ↑Oscar Andres Perea Abonce 70'
72' Gabriel Fernández (Erik Lira)
78' ↓ Amaury García ↑Gonzalo Piovi
↓ Henry Martin ↑Miguel Borja 78'
78' ↓ Agustín Palavecino ↑Osinachi Ebere
Miguel Borja 90'
Oscar Andres Perea Abonce (Kevin Alvarez) 90'
90'+3 José Paradela
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Cruz Azul
Goalkeepers
Kevin Mier 
OCTOPUS
7
Saves
7
Saves
0
Conceded
100%
Save %
Defenders
Jeremy Márquez 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
69
Total Mins
69
Entry
Willer Ditta
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Amaury García
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
Jesús Orozco 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Omar Campos
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
57
Total Mins
57
Entry
Midfielders
Agustín Palavecino
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
Érik Lira
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Carlos Rodríguez 
ARCHITECT
6
Key Passes
6
Key Passes
1
Assists
36%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Nicolás Ibáñez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
57
Total Mins
57
Entry
José Paradela
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
2
Assists
22%
Pass Acc
BENCH
Andrés Gudiño 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Alán Montes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alan Mozo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gonzalo Piovi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Andrés Montaño
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Gonzalez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Osinachi Ebere
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luka Romero
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Carlos Rotondi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
33
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gabriel Fernández 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
8.1
Rating
Club America
Goalkeepers
Rodolfo Cota
OCTOPUS
6
Saves
6
Saves
0
Conceded
100%
Save %
Defenders
Dagoberto Espinoza
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
29
Entry
Israel Reyes
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
62%
Pass Acc
Ramón Juárez 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Kevin Álvarez
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
1
Assists
41%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Érick Sánchez
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Alan Cervantes 
MAGNET
72
Activity
72
Activity
58
Passes
14
Duels
Isaías Violante
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
46
Total Mins
45
Entry
Raphael Veiga
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
25%
Pass Acc
Brian Rodríguez
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
45%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Henry Martín
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
11%
Pass Acc
BENCH
Luis Malagón
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Emilio Lara
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Cristián Borja
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Edwin Cerrillo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Icaro 
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
1
Interceptions
2
Blocks
Alexis Gutiérrez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Miguel Borja 
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.2
Rating
A. Cardenas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Óscar Perea
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.4
Rating
Alejandro Zendejas
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
17%
Pass Acc
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/12/2026 | Club America | 1 - 1 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Azteca |
| 10/19/2025 | Cruz Azul | 2 - 1 | Club America | Liga MX | Estadio Olímpico Universitario |
| 05/19/2025 | Club America | 2 - 1 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes |
| 05/16/2025 | Cruz Azul | 1 - 0 | Club America | Liga MX | Estadio Olímpico Universitario |
| 04/13/2025 | Club America | 0 - 0 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes |
| 04/09/2025 | Cruz Azul | 2 - 1 | Club America | CONCACAF Champions League | Estadio Olímpico Universitario |
| 04/02/2025 | Club America | 0 - 0 | Cruz Azul | CONCACAF Champions League | Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes |
| 12/09/2024 | Cruz Azul | 3 - 4 | Club America | Liga MX | Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes |
| 12/06/2024 | Club America | 0 - 0 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes |
| 09/01/2024 | Cruz Azul | 4 - 1 | Club America | Liga MX | Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes |
04/12/2026
10/19/2025
05/19/2025
05/16/2025
04/13/2025
04/09/2025
04/02/2025
12/09/2024
12/06/2024
09/01/2024
Cruz Azul Win
Club America Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +12
P: 8 GD: +9
P: 7 GD: +9
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 7 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: 0
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: +5
P: 8 GD: -1
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 8 GD: -7
P: 8 GD: -7
League Standings
P: 11 GD: +13
P: 12 GD: +10
P: 12 GD: +1
P: 12 GD: +7
P: 12 GD: +6
P: 11 GD: +2
P: 12 GD: +1
P: 11 GD: +3
P: 12 GD: +1
P: 11 GD: +1
P: 12 GD: -1
P: 12 GD: -1
P: 12 GD: -2
P: 12 GD: +3
P: 12 GD: -5
P: 12 GD: -6
P: 12 GD: -10
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Cruz Azul
Club America
Cruz Azul
Club America
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Cruz Azul Outlast Late Surge in Seven-Goal Epic
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 100/100. A breathless seven-goal spectacle at Estadio Banorte proved that tactical control means nothing without utter ruthlessness in the final third.
The First Half Surge
The match erupted into life as Cruz Azul exploded out of the blocks, instantly turning Estadio Banorte into a cauldron of noise. Despite Club America holding 57% of the ball to establish controlled possession and completing nearly 400 accurate passes, it was the hosts who dictated the Intensity of this gripping fixture. The early breakthrough arrived in the 19th minute when José Paradela slipped a perfect pass to Erik Lira to open the scoring. Rather than sitting back to defend their narrow lead, the home side ruthlessly amplified the pressure. Paradela then turned from provider to executioner in the 35th minute, latching onto a brilliant ball from Carlos Rodriguez to double the advantage. The visitors were left chasing shadows as a devastating counter-attacking clinic rapidly unfolded right before their eyes.
Chaos and Missed Chances
The match's Balance was completely shattered in a frantic, unforgettable five-minute window just before the interval. A controversial VAR review confirmed a penalty for the hosts, presenting a golden opportunity to put the game to bed. However, Nicolás Ibañez shockingly fluffed his lines from the spot. Yet, any hope of an immediate momentum shift was ruthlessly crushed just two minutes later. Completely unfazed by the agonizing penalty miss, Paradela orchestrated yet another attacking move, setting up Jesús Orozco to make it three nil right on the stroke of halftime. The visitors finally found a crucial lifeline shortly after the restart through a sharp finish from Brian Rodríguez, sparking a desperate and high-octane chase that would define the entire second half.
A Frantic Finish
The immense Stakes were evident as the visitors poured forward with reckless abandon, ultimately racking up 28 total shots in their desperation to salvage a result. Both goalkeepers were kept incredibly busy throughout, pulling off 13 vital saves combined across a relentless second period featuring intense corner pressure. Substitute Gabriel Fernández seemed to have finally killed the tie with a crucial fourth goal for the hosts in the 72nd minute, but the drama was far from over. A chaotic finale ensued as Miguel Borja and Oscar Andres Perea Abonce scored rapid-fire goals in stoppage time. Ultimately, the home side weathered the ultimate late storm to secure a monumental 4-3 victory in this instant classic.
Key Questions
Was the penalty miss by J. Paradela the turning point?
Nicolás Ibañez actually took and missed the penalty. However, it wasn't the turning point, as Cruz Azul quickly responded with another goal to maintain momentum.
What made J. Paradela the Man of the Match?
Paradela was the creative engine, delivering an exceptional performance with one brilliant goal and two crucial assists that completely dismantled the opposition's defense.
What caused the 7-goal thriller?
A staggering combined 44 shots and relentlessly attacking philosophies from both sides created end-to-end chaos, resulting in continuous, breathless goalmouth action.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Title ambitions on the line
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 88/100. The unbeaten league leaders put their championship credentials on the line against a home side desperate to salvage their campaign.
The Setup
This September 13, 2026 fixture at Estadio Banorte brings massive consequences for the Liga MX title race. Club America arrive sitting proudly at the top of the table with an intimidating Form rating, boasting five wins and a draw from six matches. Their defensive Balance has been nearly flawless, conceding just two goals all term. The picture is much bleaker for Cruz Azul, who find themselves languishing in 10th place after an inconsistent start. The Stakes are remarkably high for the hosts; dropping more points could severely dent their ambitions of climbing the table, while a statement win would reignite their season.
Key Battle
The physical duel in the penalty area will dictate terms. W. Ditta faces the imposing challenge of shutting down Henry Martín. If the home defence can silence the visitors' frontman, the away side's attacking Stars will struggle to find their usual rhythm in the final third.
Our Prediction
Despite the hosts being slight statistical favourites on paper, the visitors might find this a comfortable tactical assignment. Expect Cruz Azul to start with high intensity out of sheer necessity, but Club America will absorb the early pressure and strike ruthlessly on the break. We see this ending in a hard-fought draw that favours the league leaders.