Cruz Azul and Tigres are currently locked in a very tight Liga MX Apertura semifinal, with the first leg ending in a 1–1 draw and the second leg still to come.
First leg: 1–1 at the Estadio Azteca
Cruz Azul hosted Tigres in the first leg of the Apertura 2025–26 semifinals and needed a late goal to avoid going to the second leg at a deficit. Ángel Correa put Tigres ahead in the second half, finishing a move that began with a deflected cross from Rômulo, giving the visitors a crucial away lead. In the closing minutes, Gabriel “Toro” Fernández converted a penalty for Cruz Azul to make it 1–1, keeping the tie level on aggregate and preserving their hopes of reaching the final.
What the draw means for the tie
The 1–1 result leaves the semifinal completely open heading into the return match in Monterrey. With Tigres having scored away, Cruz Azul will likely need at least a draw with goals, or a win, in the second leg to be sure of advancing under typical Liga MX playoff rules, though the precise tie‑breakers depend on the current tournament regulations. The aggregate winner of this series will move on to a two-legged final scheduled for mid-December, on dates already set by the league.
Key players and form
Recent match data show both teams have been evenly matched across 2025, with several close games in Liga MX and the CONCACAF Champions Cup. For Tigres, Ángel Correa has been an important attacking reference, contributing goals in the semifinal and earlier in the season. On Cruz Azul’s side, Gabriel Fernández has been decisive in knockout matches, and his late penalty under pressure further reinforces his role as a key finisher for La Máquina.
Recent head-to-head record
The recent head-to-head series underlines how fine the margins are between these clubs. In 2025 alone, Tigres and Cruz Azul have drawn multiple times in Liga MX, while Cruz Azul edged a 1–0 win in a CONCACAF Champions Cup match and Tigres won a league meeting 2–1 earlier in the year. This pattern of narrow scorelines and frequent draws sets up the second leg as another likely tense, low‑margin encounter with individual moments—like Correa’s finish or Fernández’s penalty—potentially deciding who reaches the final.
Outlook for the second leg
Attention now turns to the return leg in Nuevo León, where Tigres will count on their home support and attacking depth, including creators like Juan Brunetta, to try to tilt the series. Cruz Azul, encouraged by their late equalizer, will aim to manage Tigres’ pressure while capitalizing on transitions and set pieces, areas that have already produced goals in this semifinal. With the aggregate level and both sides showing resilience, the clash is set up as one of the standout ties of the Apertura, with a place in the December final on the line.
Sources
1. Tigres vs. Cruz Azul (Dec 6, 2025) Live Score - ESPN
2. Tigres vs. Cruz Azul (7 Dec, 2025) Live Score - ESPN (PH)
3. Late penalty earns Cruz Azul semifinal draw - Xinhua
4. Cruz Azul vs. Tigres - Final Score - December 03, 2025
