Liga MX Apertura - Quarter-finals
Cruz Azul 3 - 2 FT Guadalajara Chivas
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
C. Cowell (R. Alvarado) 8'
14' G. Fernandez (J. Marquez)
19' José Rivero
B. Gonzalez (C. Cowell) 35'
HT
46' ↓ L. Faravelli ↑J. Sanchez
46' ↓ G. Piovi ↑J. Orozco
↓ E. Alvarez ↑E. Gutierrez 57'
↓ R. Ledezma ↑A. Mozo 61'
69' ↓ C. Rotondi ↑O. Campos
69' ↓ I. Rivero ↑A. Sepulveda
72' J. Marquez (C. Rodriguez)
74' José Paradela
Érick Gutiérrez 75'
↓ C. Cowell ↑S. Sandoval 76'
↓ R. Alvarado ↑A. Pulido 76'
↓ O. Govea ↑Chicharito 76'
83' Erik Lira
86' Andrés Gudiño
89' ↓ J. Marquez ↑J. Rodarte
90' C. Rodriguez (G. Fernandez)
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Cruz Azul
Goalkeepers
A. Gudino 
SIEVE
33%
Save %
33%
Save %
2
Conceded
1
Saves
Defenders
Midfielders
I. Rivero 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
J. Marquez 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
L. Faravelli 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
C. Rotondi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
69
Total Mins
69
Entry
Forwards
J. Paradela
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Rodriguez 
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
9
Rating
G. Fernandez
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
BENCH
E. Ochoa 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
J. Sanchez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
O. Campos
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Orozco 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
2
Fouls
6.3
Rating
M. Bogusz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Morales
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Romero
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Sepulveda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Levy
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Rodarte
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Guadalajara Chivas
Goalkeepers
R. Rangel
SIEVE
0%
Save %
0%
Save %
3
Conceded
0
Saves
Defenders
D. Aguirre
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
L. Romo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Castillo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
R. Ledezma
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
61
Total Mins
61
Entry
O. Govea
LATE SHIFT
14
Late Mins
14
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
76
Entry
F. Gonzalez 
ENFORCER
5
Tackles
5
Tackles
7
Duels Won
78%
Win %
B. Gonzalez
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Forwards
R. Alvarado 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
26%
Pass Acc
E. Alvarez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
57
Total Mins
57
Entry
C. Cowell
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
BENCH
O. Whalley
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
M. Gomez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Sepulveda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Mozo
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
8%
Pass Acc
E. Gutierrez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
33
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Camberos
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Pulido
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Chicharito
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Gonzalez
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Sandoval
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/01/2025 | Cruz Azul | 3 - 2 | Guadalajara Chivas | Liga MX | Estadio Olimpico Universitario |
| 11/28/2025 | Guadalajara Chivas | 0 - 0 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Akron |
| 08/31/2025 | Guadalajara Chivas | 1 - 2 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Akron |
| 03/30/2025 | Guadalajara Chivas | 0 - 1 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Jalisco |
12/01/2025
11/28/2025
08/31/2025
03/30/2025
Cruz Azul Win
Guadalajara Chivas Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Rodríguez's 90th-Minute Heroics Send Cruz Azul Through
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 98/100. A breathtaking five-goal thriller at Estadio Olimpico Universitario culminated in late heartbreak for the league leaders as the hosts snatched a semi-final ticket at the death.
Trading Early Blows
With the quarter-final aggregate completely balanced at 0-0 from the first leg, the Stakes were astronomical for this top-two elimination clash. It took just eight minutes for C. Cowell to shatter the deadlock, putting Guadalajara Chivas ahead on aggregate and silencing the Estadio Olimpico Universitario. The response was instantaneous. Six minutes later, J. Marquez carved open the visitors' lines, allowing G. Fernandez to brilliantly restore parity. The visitors edged possession and looked continually dangerous on the transition, eventually regaining their aggregate advantage when B. Gonzalez finished off a slick Cowell setup before the break. The Intensity of this tie was palpable, with both heavyweights trading heavy punches in a chaotic first period that left Cruz Azul staring down the barrel of an early and painful playoff exit on their home turf.
The Machine Wakes Up
Trailing 2-1 on the night and needing a massive shift in momentum to save their season, the hosts emerged from the tunnel with renewed tactical discipline. The visitors tried to dictate the tempo, controlling 53% of the ball, but struggled to turn their thirteen total shots and high expected goals into a killer third strike. The match's Balance violently tilted in the 72nd minute. Sensing the extreme urgency of the ticking clock, C. Rodriguez delivered a sublime key pass that found Marquez deep inside the area. The midfielder made absolutely no mistake, hammering home the equalizer to set up a grandstand finish. Suddenly, the league leaders looked incredibly fragile at the back, their earlier confidence eroding quickly as the home side piled forward in waves.
Last-Gasp Glory
The final stages were pure sporting theater, driven by an off-the-charts Upset Factor as the second-seeded hosts pushed the number-one overall seed to the absolute brink. With the aggregate locked at 2-2 and the referee checking his watch, the defining moment of the tie arrived in the 90th minute. Fernandez turned provider, locating Rodriguez who buried the ball past the desperate defensive line. That late strike completed a spectacular 3-2 comeback on the night and secured the series victory without the need for penalties. Guadalajara Chivas, despite leading twice and generating consistent attacking pressure, are left to bitterly pack their bags. For the hosts, this incredibly dramatic quarter-final triumph serves as the ultimate statement of their true championship credentials.
Key Questions
What made Carlos Rodríguez the Man of the Match?
He orchestrated the ultimate comeback, providing a crucial assist for the 72nd-minute equalizer before scoring the dramatic 90th-minute winner himself.
What caused the 5-goal thriller?
Relentless attacking mentalities and multiple lead changes defined the match. Chivas struck early twice, but the hosts refused to yield.
How dramatic was the late winner by Carlos Rodríguez?
Incredibly dramatic. With the aggregate tied and time expiring, his 90th-minute strike snatched the semi-final spot right at the death.
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.
Semi-final Spot on the Line After Tense Stalemate
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 71/100. A goalless first leg leaves the tie on a knife-edge as Mexico's top two battle for survival at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario.
The Setup
Guadalajara Chivas bring an intimidating away record into this decider, boasting a Form rating that demands absolute respect. Despite drawing a blank in the opening leg, they consistently find ways to win on the road. Cruz Azul, however, average over two goals a game on their own turf, setting up a Balance of thrilling tactical intrigue. The Stakes are astronomically high: it is winner-takes-all after the 0-0 draw in Guadalajara. With both teams just two steps from glory, a single mistake will end title dreams.
Key Battle
A colossal Stars rating highlights the pure attacking talent on display. Carlos Rodríguez is the creative heartbeat for the hosts, pulling strings and delivering key passes in the final third. He faces the ultimate test of efficiency against Armando González, a lethal marksman who violently punishes defensive lapses. The duel between Cruz Azul's midfield supply line and Chivas's ruthless finishing will dictate who progresses.
Our Prediction
Cruz Azul will edge a frantic and fiery encounter. Expect Chivas to strike first on the counter-attack, silencing the home crowd temporarily. However, the hosts will unleash their heavy offensive artillery, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory late in the second half to punch their semi-final ticket.