In one of the most electrifying matches of the 2025 Apertura season, Cruz Azul mounted a stunning comeback to eliminate Chivas de Guadalajara with a thrilling 3-2 victory in the second leg of the quarterfinals. The Machine's dramatic turnaround at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario has set up a highly anticipated semifinal clash against Tigres UANL, but concerns are already mounting about the team's readiness for the next challenge.
A Rollercoaster of Emotions
The match was a masterclass in playoff drama, with both teams trading blows throughout the 90 minutes.
Chivas struck first when Cade Cowell opened the scoring early in the match, putting Guadalajara in the driver's seat. However, Cruz Azul quickly responded through Gabriel Fernández's equalizer in the 14th minute, leveling the aggregate score and keeping their semifinal hopes alive.
The intensity only escalated from there. Bryan Gonzalez restored Chivas' lead in the 35th minute, and at halftime, Guadalajara appeared to be in control of their destiny. But Cruz Azul's resilience proved decisive.
Jeremy Márquez's stunning goal in the 72nd minute brought the Machine level once again at 2-2, setting the stage for a frantic final stretch.
The Turning Point: Chicharito's Missed Penalty
The pivotal moment came in the 84th minute when Chivas were awarded a penalty kick—a golden opportunity to secure their passage to the semifinals.
Javier 'Chicharito' Hernández stepped up to take the spot kick but skied his shot, a devastating miss that would prove to be the turning point of the entire tie.
With Chivas desperately pushing forward in search of a winner, they left themselves vulnerable at the back.
Cruz Azul capitalized on this defensive chaos when Gabriel Fernández played a perfectly weighted ball to Carlos Rodríguez, who chipped goalkeeper Tala Rangel to make it 3-2 in the dying moments of the match. The goal sent the Cruz Azul faithful into raptures and ended Chivas' tournament run.
Concerns Cloud Cruz Azul's Advancement
While the victory was undoubtedly impressive,
experts are warning that Cruz Azul may not be at full strength heading into their semifinal matchup against Tigres. Analyst Adrian Esparza highlighted concerns about key players who showed signs of struggle during the Chivas series, including midfielder
José Paradela, whose frustration was evident throughout the quarterfinal tie and whose status as a starter for the semifinals remains uncertain.
The concern is particularly acute because these players are fundamental to manager Larcamón's tactical scheme. Their performance levels will directly impact Cruz Azul's ability to compete against the formidable Tigres side. While Larcamón undoubtedly understands the physical and mental state of his squad better than anyone, the coaching staff will need to carefully evaluate alternatives to strengthen the team for the next challenge.
What's Next
Cruz Azul's dramatic advancement sets up a compelling semifinal encounter with Tigres UANL, with manager Larcamón vowing to attack the felines in the upcoming clash. The Machine will need to shake off any lingering concerns about player fitness and form if they hope to reach the Apertura 2025 final.
For Chivas, the loss marks a disappointing end to their tournament campaign, with the missed penalty by Chicharito serving as a bitter reminder of how fine the margins are in knockout football.
1.
Liga MX Apertura 2025 Semifinals locked in After Cruz Azul's 3-2 win over Chivas2.
1202-0021.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-800 underline font-medium">Cruz Azul on High Alert: Adrian Esparza Warns of Urgent Issue Before Semifinals3.
Cruz Azul bounce back to defeat and eliminate Chivas to go thru to Semifinals4.
Chivas falls to Cruz Azul and ends its run in AP25**
Sources
1. Liga MX Apertura 2025 Semifinals locked in After Cruz Azul’s 3-2 win over Chivas
2. Cruz Azul vs. Guadalajara (1 Dec, 2025) Live Score - ESPN.com
3. Cruz Azul on High Alert: Adrian Esparza Warns of Urgent Issue Before Semifinals
4. Cruz Azul bounce back to defeat and eliminate Chivas to go thru to Semifinals
5. Pizarro vows attacking Tigres in semifinal
6. Chivas falls to Cruz Azul and ends its run in AP25
