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Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
HT
48' J. Ovalle
↓ A. Montano ↑J. Paradela 51'
José Paradela 59'
↓ J. Marquez ↑N. Ibanez 61'
↓ J. Rodarte ↑C. Ebere 62'
68' Brian Rubio
75' Sebastián Santos
76' ↓ Dudu ↑B. Arce
76' ↓ J. Ovalle ↑M. Lainez
82' ↓ B. Rubio ↑Fabio Gomes
82' ↓ M. Zaleta ↑G. Lopez
83' ↓ L. Merolla ↑A. Leyva
G. Fernandez (J. Paradela) 87'
↓ O. Campos ↑A. Morales 88'
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Mazatlán
Goalkeepers
Ricardo Rodríguez 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Facundo Almada 
SHIELD
3
Blocks
3
Blocks
2
Interceptions
1
Tackles
José Esquivel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lucas Merolla 
SWEEPER
8
Cleanups
8
Cleanups
6
Interceptions
2
Blocks
Midfielders
S. Godinez
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Sebastián Santos
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yoel Bárcenas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mauro Zaleta
LATE SHIFT
8
Late Mins
8
Late Mins
82
Total Mins
82
Entry
Forwards
Dudu
LATE SHIFT
14
Late Mins
14
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
76
Entry
Josué Ovalle 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
6.5
Rating
Brian Rubio 
MAGNET
44
Activity
44
Activity
27
Passes
17
Duels
BENCH
Ramiro Franco
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Billy Arce
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alberto Herrera
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mauro Laínez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Fábio Gomes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gabriel López
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jesús Hernández
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
V. A. Alcaraz Diaz
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. A. Saavedra Nevarez
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Leyva
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Cruz Azul
Goalkeepers
Kevin Mier
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Érik Lira 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
56%
Duel Win %
Amaury García
MAGNET
83
Activity
83
Activity
72
Passes
11
Duels
Gonzalo Piovi
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
73%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
J. Rodarte
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Agustín Palavecino 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
53%
Pass Acc
Jeremy Márquez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
61
Total Mins
61
Entry
Omar Campos
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
30%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Andrés Montaño
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
51
Total Mins
51
Entry
Carlos Rodríguez
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
59%
Pass Acc
Gabriel Fernández 
CLUTCH HERO
87
Goal Time
87
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
6.9
Rating
BENCH
Andrés Gudiño 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Amaury Morales
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
I. Silva
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nicolás Ibáñez 
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
José Paradela 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
39
Minutes
6.9
Rating
Osinachi Ebere
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luka Romero
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Diaz
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Castro
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/13/2025 | Cruz Azul | 0 - 0 | Mazatlán | Liga MX | Estadio Olímpico Universitario |
| 03/01/2025 | Mazatlán | 1 - 1 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio El Encanto |
| 08/14/2024 | Cruz Azul | 2 - 2 (PEN 1-3) | Mazatlán | Leagues Cup | Audi Field |
| 07/07/2024 | Cruz Azul | 1 - 0 | Mazatlán | Liga MX | Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes |
| 01/27/2024 | Cruz Azul | 2 - 1 | Mazatlán | Liga MX | Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes |
| 09/16/2023 | Mazatlán | 2 - 2 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio El Encanto |
Mazatlán Win
Cruz Azul Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 18 GD: +15
P: 16 GD: +13
P: 16 GD: +8
P: 18 GD: +8
P: 14 GD: +9
P: 14 GD: +4
P: 14 GD: +2
P: 14 GD: -4
P: 12 GD: -2
P: 12 GD: +3
P: 12 GD: -2
P: 12 GD: -11
P: 12 GD: -2
P: 12 GD: -5
P: 12 GD: -3
P: 12 GD: -9
P: 12 GD: -8
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Mazatlán
Cruz Azul
Mazatlán
Cruz Azul
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Relentless Siege Breaks Mazatlán's Heroic Resistance
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 45/100. A suffocating wave of second-half pressure finally dismantles a stubborn defensive wall as the title challengers salvage a vital point on the road.
Opening Act
The early exchanges at Estadio El Encanto firmly established the tactical narrative for the evening. Chasing the league leaders, Cruz Azul came out with clear intent, immediately dictating play and monopolizing the ball to the tune of 65% possession. The sheer Intensity from the visitors was palpable as they camped outside the Mazatlán penalty area, determined to strike early. Pulling the strings from the center of the park, Carlos Rodríguez effortlessly circulated possession, probing a deep-lying defensive block for any sign of weakness. Despite conceding a flurry of corners and weathering relentless waves of pressure, the home side refused to buckle under the weight of expectations. They absorbed the punishment with impressive tactical discipline, visibly frustrating an away side that dominated the territory but lacked the final killer touch to make it count.
The Pivot
The entire complexion of the match was turned upside down shortly after the restart. In the 48th minute, a rare foray into the attacking third saw J. Ovalle fire the hosts into a shock lead, sending the home crowd into absolute delirium. The Upset Factor instantly shot through the roof as the underdogs suddenly had something massive to protect. Stung by the setback, Cruz Azul abandoned all caution and launched an all-out assault, eventually racking up a staggering 22 total shots. However, they found themselves banging on a brick wall. Mazatlán goalkeeper Ricardo Rodríguez delivered a phenomenal performance between the sticks, producing five magnificent saves to keep the narrow advantage intact, parrying away thunderous strikes that seemed destined for the back of the net.
Resolution
The visitors' absolute refusal to accept defeat finally paid dividends in the dying embers of the contest. In the 87th minute, substitute J. Paradela provided the creative spark required to pick the lock, sliding a perfectly weighted assist to G. Fernandez, who coolly buried the equalizer. Given the overall Balance of play and the sheer volume of chances created by the away side, the late goal was more than justified. While Mazatlán will be gutted to drop two points so late, they owe their resilient display largely to Facundo Almada, whose colossal defensive shifts anchored the backline for ninety minutes. Ultimately, the draw leaves Cruz Azul three points adrift of the league summit, marking a frustrating stumble for a team with genuine championship ambitions.
Key Questions
Did Mazatlán deserve the late equalizer?
Cruz Azul actually scored the late equalizer. Given their heavy possession and 22 total shots, the visitors fully deserved to level the match in the dying minutes.
How did substitute Facundo Almada change the game?
Almada was not a substitute; he started the match. His absolute dominance at the back was instrumental in frustrating Cruz Azul's attackers throughout the ninety minutes.
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 Charge Meets Survival Mode at Estadio El Encanto
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 63/100. Cruz Azul's championship ambitions leave no room for error against a Mazatlán side desperate to pull themselves out of the league's basement.
The Setup
The Stakes could not be clearer on March 21, 2026. Cruz Azul arrive at Estadio El Encanto sitting second in Liga MX, locked in a fierce title race. Their Form is intimidating, riding a stellar run that has yielded 27 points and an impressive plus-11 goal difference. They are built on a rock-solid foundation, conceding just 12 times in 12 matches. Contrast that with Mazatlán, languishing in 16th place with just 11 points and a leaky defense that has shipped 23 goals. The competitive Balance heavily favors the visitors, who simply cannot afford a slip-up against bottom-half opposition. Mazatlán must dig deep on home soil, but a stark lack of overall Stars makes matching the away side's quality a monumental task.
Key Battle
The spotlight falls on a crucial midfield and attacking duel. Josué Ovalle has been a rare bright spark for the hosts, turning half-chances into goals and carrying the offensive burden. He needs to find a way past the dominant system orchestrated by Agustín Palavecino. The Cruz Azul playmaker is pulling the strings expertly in the center of the park, racking up assists and controlling the tempo. With Gabriel Fernández also lurking up front as a potent scoring threat for the visitors, the pressure on Mazatlán's backline will be relentless. If Palavecino dictates the rhythm undisturbed, Mazatlán will be completely suffocated.
Our Prediction
Expect a ruthless performance from the title contenders. Cruz Azul will dominate possession, patiently picking apart a fragile home defense. A comfortable 2-0 away victory is firmly on the cards, keeping their championship dreams alive.