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Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
F. Monarrez 11'
↓ C. Baltazar ↑P. Gamarra 35'
HT
↓ E. Gomez ↑K. Velasco 46'
46' ↓ J. Sanchez ↑O. Campos
46' ↓ L. Romero ↑M. Levy
D. Gutierrez 59'
↓ E. Guerra ↑J. R. Pachuca Martinez 59'
E. Navarro 66'
70' ↓ C. Rotondi ↑J. Marquez
70' ↓ E. Lira ↑A. Morales
78' J. Paradela (G. Fernandez)
↓ A. Organista ↑A. Ramirez 79'
↓ E. Lozano ↑I. Maestro 80'
84' ↓ J. Paradela ↑R. Gonzalez
85' M. Levy
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Cruz Azul
Goalkeepers
Andrés Gudiño 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
90
Minutes
Defenders
Willer Ditta 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
73%
Duel Win %
Érik Lira 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
70
Entry
Gonzalo Piovi 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
66%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Jorge Sánchez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Agustín Palavecino
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
48%
Pass Acc
Carlos Rodríguez 
MAGNET
96
Activity
96
Activity
83
Passes
13
Duels
Carlos Rotondi
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
18%
Pass Acc
Forwards
José Paradela 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Luka Romero
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Gabriel Fernández
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
6%
Pass Acc
BENCH
Emmanuel Ochoa
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Omar Campos
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
24%
Pass Acc
Amaury García
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Gonzalez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Amaury Morales
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jeremy Márquez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Emmanuel Sanchez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Valdez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Karol Velázquez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mateo Levy
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Puebla
Goalkeepers
Ricardo Gutiérrez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Iker Moreno
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
75%
Duel Win %
Eduardo Navarro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nicolás Díaz 
ENFORCER
4
Tackles
4
Tackles
10
Duels Won
77%
Win %
Fernando Monárrez 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
1
Fouls
3
Rating
Midfielders
Luis Rey 
SWEEPER
5
Cleanups
5
Cleanups
0
Interceptions
5
Blocks
Edgar Guerra
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
59
Total Mins
59
Entry
Alejandro Organista
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
82
Total Mins
79
Entry
Carlos Baltazar
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
35
Total Mins
35
Entry
Emiliano Gómez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Forwards
Esteban Lozano
LATE SHIFT
10
Late Mins
10
Late Mins
82
Total Mins
80
Entry
BENCH
Jesús Rodríguez
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Jose Pachuca
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
31
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ángelo Araos
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Brayan Garnica
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alonso Ramírez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Miguel Ramírez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ignacio Maestro Puch
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Eduardo Mustre
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kevin Velasco
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
P. Gamarra
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/01/2025 | Puebla | 0 - 3 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Cuauhtémoc |
| 01/25/2025 | Cruz Azul | 1 - 1 | Puebla | Liga MX | Estadio Olímpico Universitario |
| 10/19/2024 | Puebla | 1 - 2 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Cuauhtémoc |
| 04/13/2024 | Puebla | 0 - 1 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Cuauhtémoc |
| 11/13/2023 | Cruz Azul | 1 - 2 | Puebla | Liga MX | Estadio Azteca |
| 02/18/2023 | Puebla | 1 - 3 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Cuauhtémoc |
Cruz Azul Win
Puebla Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 9 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 7 GD: +2
P: 9 GD: 0
P: 5 GD: 0
P: 5 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: +5
P: 5 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 5 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -4
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Cruz Azul
Puebla
Cruz Azul
Puebla
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Late Breakthrough Rewards Relentless Pressure at Estadio Azteca
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 34/100. A masterclass in attacking persistence paid dividends as the hosts ground down a stubborn, numerically disadvantaged defense to stay within striking distance of the summit.
Early Dismissal Dictates the Tempo
The tactical blueprint for this fixture was torn to shreds within the opening eleven minutes at Estadio Azteca. When F. Monarrez received his marching orders, the Balance of the contest completely evaporated. Forced into an emergency rearguard action, Puebla retreated into a low block, challenging the hosts to find a way through. Cruz Azul gleefully accepted the invitation, dominating possession with a staggering 74% share of the ball. The home side methodically circulated possession, probing for weaknesses in a hastily assembled defensive shell. Despite their numerical supremacy and almost total control of the pitch geography, the opening exchanges were defined by a frustrating inability to turn supreme territorial advantage into a decisive early breakthrough against a resolute visiting backline determined to frustrate their title-chasing opponents.
A One-Sided Shooting Gallery
As the match progressed, the sheer Intensity of the home side's attacking waves became overwhelming. The pitch tilted entirely in one direction, culminating in an astonishing 33 attempts on goal compared to a meager five from the visitors. At the heart of this relentless machine, Carlos Rodríguez orchestrated the tempo brilliantly, slicing through the lines with precise distribution. Meanwhile, Willer Ditta ensured absolute security at the back, neutralizing any faint counter-attacking threats before they could materialize. Yet, for all their offensive endeavor, they continually ran into an inspired goalkeeping performance, with the visiting stopper producing nine crucial saves to keep the match scoreless. The sheer volume of corners and blocked shots painted a picture of a defense clinging on by their fingernails, desperate to survive the relentless siege.
Breaking the Deadlock
The mounting pressure finally fractured the defensive wall in the 78th minute. A moment of clinical execution saw G. Fernandez deliver the pivotal final pass to J. Paradela, who made no mistake in firing home the decisive strike. This late intervention completely erased the Upset Factor that had been brewing throughout the frustrating stalemate. Given the high Stakes at the top of the table, this victory is paramount; it keeps the hosts firmly entrenched in the playoff zone and just three points adrift of the league leaders. For the visiting side, their heroic defensive efforts ultimately yielded nothing but fatigue, leaving them languishing in the bottom half of the standings after a gruelling afternoon defending their box.
Key Questions
How did the red card for F. Monarrez impact the match?
It forced Puebla into a deep defensive block, conceding 74% possession and facing 33 shots as the hosts completely dictated the tempo and territory.
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.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
Title-Chasing Cruz Azul Turn Up the Heat
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 61/100. Cruz Azul's flawless home record makes them overwhelming favorites against a struggling Puebla side in this crucial Liga MX title-race clash.
The Setup
The title race is intensifying, and Cruz Azul are showing absolutely zero signs of weakness at the Estadio Azteca. A commanding Form rating underlines their current dominance, backed by an intimidating run of five straight home wins. Puebla arrive with heavily contrasting fortunes and a notably lower Balance score, sitting far down the Clausura standings. The Stakes are almost entirely carried by the hosts' championship ambitions as they chase down the league leaders. Meanwhile, an off-the-charts Stars rating highlights the sheer attacking quality Cruz Azul possess, ready to break down whatever resistance the visitors attempt to mount on January 18, 2026.
Key Battle
Gabriel Fernández leading the line against Emiliano Gómez. Fernández is the undeniable offensive engine for Cruz Azul, constantly finding pockets of space and punishing hesitant defenders. Gómez faces the grueling task of trying to spark attacking moments out of nothing against the most solid defense in the division.
Our Prediction
Expect Cruz Azul to dictate the tempo entirely from the opening whistle. They will monopolize possession, pin the visitors back, and methodically dismantle the Puebla defensive lines. A comfortable 2-0 victory looks completely nailed on, with the hosts easily keeping yet another clean sheet on home soil. Cruz Azul simply have too much firepower to let this opportunity slip.