Necaxa fans were left heartbroken Tuesday night as Cruz Azul snatched a dramatic late victory at Estadio Victoria, thanks to a clutch goal from Ignacio Rivero that could reshape the Liga MX playoff picture.
A Night of High Stakes and High Drama
Both teams entered the match with everything to play for.
Necaxa, languishing near the bottom of the table and desperate for points to avoid relegation, faced a formidable
Cruz Azul side sitting second and hungry to secure a direct playoff spot. The tension was palpable from kickoff, with Necaxa showing surprising resilience against their more fancied rivals.
Necaxa’s Grit Meets Cruz Azul’s Firepower
Despite their poor form—four consecutive losses before a recent win—Necaxa refused to roll over. The hosts matched Cruz Azul’s intensity, with Agustín Palavecino nearly breaking the deadlock after capitalizing on a defensive error, only to be denied by a sharp save from Cruz Azul’s Kevin Mier.
Cruz Azul, meanwhile, dominated possession and pressed hard, with Jérémy Marquez firing a warning shot just wide of the post. The visitors suffered a setback when defender Gonzalo Piovi limped off early, forcing coach Larcamón to reshuffle his backline.
The Decisive Moment: Rivero Delivers
As the clock ticked down, it looked like Necaxa might hold on for a crucial draw. But in the dying minutes,
Ignacio Rivero found space in the box and coolly slotted home the winner, sending the Cruz Azul bench into wild celebration. Tomas Badaloni also made his mark, scoring earlier in the match to keep Necaxa in contention, but it wasn’t enough to stave off defeat.
What This Means for Both Teams
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Cruz Azul: The win solidifies their position near the top of the table, keeping them in the hunt for a direct playoff berth and boosting morale ahead of the final stretch.
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Necaxa: The loss leaves them teetering on the edge of relegation, with precious few games left to turn their season around.
Key Stats and Insights
- Cruz Azul has now won 18 of their last 35 encounters with Necaxa, with 12 wins for Necaxa and 5 draws.
- Necaxa’s recent form: 1 win, 4 losses in their last 5 matches.
- Cruz Azul’s recent form: 2 wins in their last 5 matches, but showing greater consistency overall.
Expert Commentary
“This was a match that could have gone either way,” said a Liga MX analyst. “Necaxa showed heart, but Cruz Azul’s experience and depth made the difference when it mattered most. Rivero’s goal was a dagger—exactly the kind of moment that defines playoff contenders.”
What’s Next?
Necaxa must regroup quickly if they hope to avoid the drop, while Cruz Azul will look to build on this momentum as the playoff race heats up. With only a handful of matches remaining, every point is critical—and every moment counts.
Sources
1. Necaxa vs Cruz Azul Prediction for today 22 October 2025 - Football
2. Free Football Betting Tips for Today and the Weekend
3. Necaxa vs Cruz Azul - live score, predicted lineups and H2H stats
4. Goaloo & Nowgoal Free Predictions and Betting Tips - Betsloaded
5. Palavecino's Stunner Secures Necaxa Draw Against Cruz Azul
6. ChatGPT AI Football Predictions for Today - Betsloaded
7. Necaxa vs. Cruz Azul - Final Score - October 21, 2025 - FOX Sports
8. Necaxa vs. Cruz Azul (Oct 21, 2025) Live Score - ESPN
9. Necaxa v Cruz Azul 22/10/2025 | Football - Flashscore.com
10. Necaxa vs. Cruz Azul - Boxscore - October 21, 2025 - FOX Sports
