Cruz Azul, Club América Clash Again in Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinals

MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Cruz Azul and Club América, two of the most storied franchises in Mexican soccer, will meet for the third time in less than a year when they face off in the second leg of their 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday at Estadio Olímpico Universitario.

The first leg, held on April 1, ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Both teams are hoping to break the deadlock and advance to the semifinals in one of the region’s most intense rivalries.

Club América enters the matchup looking to continue their recent dominance, having captured the Liga MX Clausura 2024 title and being the favorite to win their fourth consecutive championship this season. They currently lead the Liga MX table, two points ahead of Cruz Azul, who sit in third as the regular season approaches its final matches.

Rodolfo Rotondi, who recently returned from injury, is poised to make an impact for Cruz Azul, needing to overturn the blame from conceding penalties in past high-stakes matches against América. Interim manager Vicente Sánchez has sparked a turnaround for Cruz Azul, which is on a 10-match unbeaten streak across competitions.

Cruz Azul’s last victory came against Pumas, where they secured a 3-2 win, while Club América suffered a mild setback, losing 1-0 to Pachuca in the Liga MX. Both managers have opted to rotate players ahead of this crucial matchup, underlining its significance in their pursuit of silverware.

“It’s time for us to prove ourselves in the biggest stages,” Rotondi stated after the Pumas match. “We want to showcase our talent at home, and we know what’s at stake.”

América’s manager André Jardine echoed the sentiment, saying, “We must be ready for a tough battle. A scoreless draw simply isn’t enough. We aim to find the back of the net and secure our place in the next round.”

Historically, the rivalry has favored Club América, with 25 wins to Cruz Azul’s 13 in their previous encounters. However, knockout games often defy statistics, as both teams are fully aware of the stakes involved.

With players like Henry Martín unavailable due to injury, América will rely on a depth that includes Miguel Malagón in goal and Zendejas, who has been pivotal in attack. Despite setbacks, they remain confident in their ability to navigate tough matches.

The anticipated clash promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats. A draw with goals would see América proceed to the semifinals due to the aggregate score rule, while a low-scoring draw would necessitate extra time.

“We know that anything can happen in these intense matches. We need to stay composed and take our chances,” said América captain Sebastián Córdova.

This match not only has implications for the Champions Cup but is a critical juncture for both clubs as they look to claim their places in history. Each installation of this storied rivalry has added new layers of drama, and this finale is expected to be no different.