Liga MX Apertura - 9
Cruz Azul 3 - 2 FT FC Juarez
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
2' L. Romero (C. Rodriguez)
R. Pizarro (Guilherme Castilho) 14'
R. Fulgencio 19'
23' G. Fernandez (C. Rotondi)
Óscar Estupiñán 24'
32' José Paradela
36' J. Paradela (L. Romero)
HT
Jesús Murillo 48'
↓ J. Murillo ↑J. Manriquez 60'
70' ↓ C. Rodriguez ↑J. Marquez
77' ↓ G. Fernandez ↑M. Bogusz
77' ↓ J. Paradela ↑I. Rivero
77' ↓ L. Romero ↑A. Sepulveda
↓ R. Pizarro ↑Ricardinho 78'
↓ O. Estupinan ↑A. Zaldivar 78'
85' ↓ L. Faravelli ↑A. Garcia
↓ R. Fulgencio ↑D. Villalpando 85'
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Cruz Azul
Goalkeepers
K. Mier 
MAGNET
64
Activity
64
Activity
64
Passes
0
Duels
Defenders
Midfielders
J. Sanchez 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Faravelli
LATE SHIFT
5
Late Mins
5
Late Mins
85
Total Mins
85
Entry
C. Rodriguez 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
6.9
Rating
C. Rotondi 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
26%
Pass Acc
Forwards
J. Paradela
MAGNET
44
Activity
44
Activity
39
Passes
5
Duels
L. Romero 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
G. Fernandez
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
BENCH
A. Gudino 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
O. Campos
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Bogusz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
I. Rivero
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Marquez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Garcia
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Samano Salgado
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Sepulveda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Rodarte
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Sanchez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
FC Juarez
Goalkeepers
S. Jurado
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
D. Garcia 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
M. Mosquera 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
J. Murillo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
60
Total Mins
60
Entry
A. Mayorga
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
29%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
R. Fulgencio
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Guilherme Castilho
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
7.5
Rating
H. E. Martinez Yepez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Puma 
ENFORCER
4
Tackles
4
Tackles
7
Duels Won
88%
Win %
Forwards
R. Pizarro
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
O. Estupinan
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
BENCH
B. Diaz
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
J. Manriquez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
E. Lopez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Villalpando
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ricardinho
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Silva
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Sosa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
I. Larios
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Zaldivar
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. A. Torres Trejo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/20/2025 | Cruz Azul | 3 - 2 | FC Juarez | Liga MX | Estadio Olímpico Universitario |
| 01/18/2025 | FC Juarez | 1 - 0 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez |
| 10/24/2024 | Cruz Azul | 4 - 0 | FC Juarez | Liga MX | Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes |
| 01/20/2024 | FC Juarez | 0 - 0 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez |
| 11/02/2023 | Cruz Azul | 2 - 0 | FC Juarez | Liga MX | Estadio Azteca |
| 06/21/2023 | Cruz Azul | 3 - 1 | FC Juarez | Friendlies Clubs | Instalaciones La Noria Cancha 1 |
Cruz Azul Win
FC Juarez Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 9 GD: +9
P: 9 GD: +9
P: 9 GD: +11
P: 9 GD: +8
P: 9 GD: +9
P: 9 GD: +8
P: 9 GD: +2
P: 9 GD: +1
P: 9 GD: -1
P: 9 GD: -6
P: 9 GD: 0
P: 9 GD: -6
P: 9 GD: -5
P: 9 GD: -5
P: 9 GD: -5
P: 9 GD: -7
P: 9 GD: -7
League Standings
P: 17 GD: +17
P: 17 GD: +16
P: 17 GD: +13
P: 17 GD: +6
P: 17 GD: +12
P: 17 GD: -2
P: 17 GD: +10
P: 17 GD: +3
P: 17 GD: +2
P: 17 GD: -10
P: 17 GD: -4
P: 17 GD: -6
P: 17 GD: -2
P: 17 GD: -3
P: 17 GD: -6
P: 17 GD: -15
P: 17 GD: -13
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
A First-Half Frenzy Fuels La Máquina's Title Charge
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 64/100. This frantic five-goal spectacle proved that Cruz Azul possesses the offensive firepower required to mount a serious championship challenge.
The Opening Flurry
L. Romero lit the fuse for Cruz Azul just two minutes in at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, finishing off a sharp feed from C. Rodriguez. But the visitors refused to roll over. The Intensity spiked instantly as FC Juarez hit back with a stunning double blow. R. Pizarro found the net on the 14-minute mark, capitalizing on Guilherme Castilho's vision, before R. Fulgencio turned the game entirely on its head five minutes later. The tactical structure completely dissolved into a chaotic, end-to-end shootout early on. A combined 30 shots rained down across the 90 minutes, turning the pitch into an absolute shooting gallery. This frantic opening sequence set a blistering tempo that neither defensive unit was prepared to handle.
A Rapid Response
Trailing 2-1 and facing a massive shock at home, the hosts needed a swift answer. The defining Balance of this contest was shattered by an unrelenting nine-minute stretch where defenses simply ceased to exist. In the 23rd minute, G. Fernandez dragged his side level, slotting home after a brilliant setup by C. Rotondi. The momentum swung violently back to the home side, who dominated possession with a commanding 61 percent share. That territorial grip choked out the visitors' attacking rhythm, paving the way for the decisive strike. Just past the half-hour mark, Romero turned provider, threading a perfect ball for J. Paradela to smash in the match-winner. Five goals in 36 minutes left everyone breathless, completely neutralizing the away side's early momentum.
Holding the Line
After a first half that defied logic, the second half transformed into a tense tactical battle. The Stakes were enormous for the home side, who sat just three points off the league leaders in the playoff zone. Rather than chasing a fourth goal, they pragmatically tightened their defensive shape, restricting Juarez to speculative efforts from outside the box. Despite registering 17 total shots, the away side only managed to test the keeper twice all night. The visitors lacked the necessary cutting edge to spark a second comeback. Our verdict is clear: championship-contending teams must know how to win ugly shootouts. They weathered an early storm and dictated the tempo when it mattered most, securing a crucial three points.
Key Questions
What caused the 5-goal thriller?
A total collapse of midfield structure early on led to three goals in nine minutes, creating a wide-open shooting gallery with 30 combined attempts.
How did Cruz Azul complete the comeback from behind?
By commanding possession and relying on the lethal playmaking of Luka Romero, who assisted José Paradela's decisive match-winner in the 36th minute.
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.
Cruz Azul's Title Charge Meets a Resurgent FC Juarez
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 66/100. With Cruz Azul locked in a fierce battle for the Apertura crown, any dropped points against a dangerous mid-table side could prove fatal to their championship hopes.
The Setup
Cruz Azul sits second in the table with 27 points, riding an unbeaten streak and boasting a flawless home record. Their Form is peaking precisely when it matters for a title race. FC Juarez arrives at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario on September 20, 2025, with 14 points and sitting 10th. Despite the disparity in the standings, the visitors' recent run makes them a tricky proposition. The high Stakes for the home side naturally narrow the expected Balance of this fixture, but the presence of in-form Stars promises fireworks. With a combined expectation of high goal-scoring action, the hosts cannot afford to overlook their opponents.
Key Battle
The defining duel pits Ángel Sepúlveda against the imposing presence of Óscar Estupiñán. Sepúlveda's crucial contributions are keeping the home side's title dreams alive, while Estupiñán serves as the sharp tip of the Juarez spear. If the visitors are to stage an upset, their leading man must outgun the Cruz Azul frontline.
Our Prediction
Cruz Azul's defensive solidity—yielding just 12 goals all season—will ultimately frustrate Juarez. Expect the home side to absorb early pressure before exploiting spaces left by an aggressive Juarez midfield, securing a clinical 2-0 victory to maintain their championship push.