Liga MX Clausura - 17
Cruz Azul 4 - 1 FT Necaxa
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
HT
52' J. Paradela (C. Rotondi)
↓ I. Tello ↑J. Ruiz 55'
F. Rossano 59'
63' A. Palavecino (J. Paradela)
66' A. Garcia
R. Monreal 71'
71' ↓ G. Fernandez ↑C. Ebere
71' ↓ A. Garcia ↑A. Morales
72' ↓ O. Campos ↑L. Romero
F. Mendez 73'
↓ R. Martinez ↑E. Lara 74'
E. Lara 75'
A. Oliveros 76'
77' L. Romero
↓ L. Faravelli ↑J. Palacios 79'
↓ F. Mendez ↑R. Alonso 79'
R. Alonso 83'
85' ↓ J. Paradela ↑A. Montano
88' ↓ J. Rodarte ↑J. Diaz
90'+5 A. Montano (C. Rotondi)
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Cruz Azul
Goalkeepers
Kevin Mier 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Jorge Rodarte Barragan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
88
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Amaury Garcia Moreno
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
71
Total Mins
71
Entry
Willer Ditta 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Omar Campos
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
72
Total Mins
72
Entry
Midfielders
Erik Lira 
MAGNET
66
Activity
66
Activity
57
Passes
9
Duels
Carlos RodrĂguez
MAGNET
77
Activity
77
Activity
68
Passes
9
Duels
José Paradela 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
7.7
Rating
AgustĂn Palavecino 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Carlos Rotondi 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
6.9
Rating
Forwards
Gabriel Fernández 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
1
Fouls
6.7
Rating
BENCH
Andrés Gudiño 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
JosuĂ© DĂaz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
5
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Amaury Morales
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Karol Velázquez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ariel Castro Sevilla
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Andres Montaño 
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
6.3
Rating
Ivan Silva
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luka Romero 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Christian Ebere
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mateo Levy
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Necaxa
Goalkeepers
Ezequiel UnsaĂn 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
28%
Pass Acc
Defenders
RaĂşl MartĂnez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
74
Total Mins
74
Entry
Francisco MĂ©ndez
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
79
Total Mins
79
Entry
AgustĂn Oliveros
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Kevin Rosero
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Danny Leyva
MAGNET
63
Activity
63
Activity
60
Passes
3
Duels
Lorenzo Faravelli 
ENFORCER
3
Tackles
3
Tackles
3
Duels Won
75%
Win %
Franco Rossano
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Rogelio Cortéz Pineda
MAGNET
43
Activity
43
Activity
38
Passes
5
Duels
Ricardo Monreal
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
7
Rating
Israel Tello 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
BENCH
Luis Jimenez
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Cristian CalderĂłn
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Emilio Lara
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
1
Fouls
4.5
Rating
Emilio Martinez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Javier Ruiz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
38
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ricardo Alonso
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Arath Moreno Martinez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Joshua Palacios
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
AgustĂn Almendra
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Bryan Roque
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/22/2025 | Necaxa | 1 - 1 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Victoria |
| 01/29/2025 | Necaxa | 1 - 3 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Victoria |
| 10/05/2024 | Cruz Azul | 3 - 0 | Necaxa | Liga MX | Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes |
| 03/16/2024 | Cruz Azul | 1 - 2 | Necaxa | Liga MX | Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes |
| 10/05/2023 | Necaxa | 1 - 3 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Victoria |
| 01/22/2023 | Necaxa | 1 - 0 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Victoria de Aguascalientes |
| 12/13/2022 | Cruz Azul | 0 - 0 | Necaxa | Copa por MĂ©xico | Estadio Nemesio DĂez |
| 07/30/2022 | Cruz Azul | 1 - 0 | Necaxa | Liga MX | Estadio Azteca |
| 05/07/2022 | Cruz Azul | 1 - 1 (PEN 3-1) | Necaxa | Liga MX | Estadio Azteca |
| 02/13/2022 | Cruz Azul | 1 - 2 | Necaxa | Liga MX | Estadio Azteca |
Cruz Azul Win
Necaxa Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Second-Half Blitz Seals Cruz Azul Dominance at the Azteca
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 68/100. A ruthless second-half display and a crucial red card turned a tight contest into a resounding statement victory for the home side's playoff ambitions.
The Opening Act
The fabled Estadio Azteca witnessed a cautious opening period as both sides sized each other up in a tactical chess match. Cruz Azul edged possession, methodically prodding the visitor's defensive lines without finding an early breakthrough. The Intensity was palpable on the pitch, yet the first half concluded without a goal, leaving the crowd hungry for action. The deadlock was finally broken in the 52nd minute when J. Paradela unlocked the defence to slot home the opener. This crucial strike forced the visitors to abandon their conservative shape, setting the stage for a remarkably open second act.
The Pivot
Once the initial goal went in, the tactical Balance completely evaporated. A. Palavecino doubled the advantage on 63 minutes, seemingly putting the hosts in cruise control. However, Necaxa refused to capitulate immediately, pulling one back from the penalty spot through R. Monreal in the 71st minute to set up a nervy finish. The true turning point arrived just four minutes later. A moment of madness saw E. Lara shown a straight red card at minute 75, fatally wounding the away side's comeback hopes and leaving them entirely exposed.
Resolution
Against ten men, the home side demonstrated exactly why they are contending at the sharp end of the table. Acknowledging the high Stakes of the playoff race, they showed zero mercy. Substitute L. Romero made an immediate impact, restoring the two-goal cushion in the 77th minute before A. Montano added the finishing touch deep into stoppage time. This comprehensive 4-1 victory cements the hosts' firm grip on third place, serving as a serious warning to their title rivals, while condemning the defeated visitors to mid-table mediocrity.
Key Questions
How did the red card for E. Lara impact the match?
E. Lara's 75th-minute dismissal killed Necaxa's momentum, completely exposing their stretched defence to two devastating late goals from the hosts.
What made AgustĂn Palavecino the Man of the Match?
His decisive 63rd-minute goal and composed midfield performance provided the vital spark needed to overwhelm the struggling opposition.
What caused the 5-goal thriller?
The match exploded into life after the opening goal, as Necaxa's desperate push forward left massive spaces behind for Cruz Azul to exploit.
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 Aim to Snap Winless Streak Against Struggling Necaxa
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 37/100. With the hosts sitting comfortably in the top four and the visitors languishing in twelfth, this regular-season mismatch feels like a foregone conclusion.
The Setup
Cruz Azul's Form has taken a bizarre dip in recent weeks. Despite sitting fourth with 30 points, they arrive on the back of three consecutive draws and a loss, managing zero wins in their last five. A modest Stakes rating reflects the gap in the Liga MX table; Necaxa are down in 12th, fighting purely for pride as Clausura Matchday 17 approaches. The competitive Balance is heavily skewed toward the home side, who boast superior attacking numbers and a much tighter defense. Necaxa's recent mini-revival masks underlying vulnerabilities that a frustrated top-four side should easily exploit.
Key Battle
Christian Ebere leads the line for the hosts, looking to capitalize on any space left by the away defense and add to his tally. He will be up against the sheer individual brilliance of Javier Ruiz, whose Stars quality has been a rare bright spot for Necaxa. If Cruz Azul can neutralize Ruiz, the visitors lose their primary attacking outlet entirely.
Our Prediction
Cruz Azul should finally break their winless streak here. Expect the home side to dictate possession early, suffocate the midfield, and secure a comfortable 2-0 victory, grinding down a stubborn but ultimately outgunned opposition.