Home CRUZ AZUL 2-2 CHIVAS | ¡VIBRANTE EMPATE EN LA CAPITAL DEL PAÍS! | SEMIFINAL IDA | ConMéxico C26 byUSA -May 14, 2026 0 Four goals, a VAR controversy, a goalkeeper error and a stunning strike — the Liga MX Clausura 2026 semifinal delivered everything in a pulsating draw that sets up a winner-take-all second leg in Guadalajara.CAZCruz Azul2 – 2Full Time · First LegGDLChivas⚽ Goals🟨 4 Yellow Cards🔁 VAR Controversy📺 Canal 5 / TV Azteca32'Charly RodríguezCruz Azul29'Santiago SandovalChivas55'Christian Ebere (pen)Cruz Azul50'Ángel SepúlvedaChivasMexico City was treated to a semifinal for the ages as Cruz Azul and Chivas played to an absorbing 2–2 draw in the first leg of the Liga MX Clausura 2026 semifinal, leaving the tie perfectly poised for the return fixture at Estadio Jalisco on Saturday, May 16.Match OverviewPlayed at the storied Estadio Azteca — making one of its final appearances as a football venue before being handed over to FIFA ahead of the 2026 World Cup — the match lived up to its billing with constant momentum shifts, individual brilliance and a generous helping of controversy. Both sides scored twice and neither could land a decisive blow, setting up a tense return leg in Guadalajara where Chivas hold the advantage by virtue of their superior regular-season standing.Joel Huiqui's Cruz Azul dominated early possession but were left to rue missed chances as the Nigerian striker Christian Ebere spurned three opportunities in the opening quarter-hour. Chivas, assembled with multiple first-team absentees due to national team call-ups, showed remarkable resilience and punished La Máquina's wastefulness on the counter.First Half: Sandoval Strikes, Rodríguez RespondsCruz Azul set the early tempo, pressing high and creating danger through Ebere and Agustín Palavecino. Yet it was Chivas who drew first blood. A long-range effort from Ricardo Marín was only parried by goalkeeper Kevin Mier, and Santiago Sandoval was quickest to react, tapping home at the back post in the 29th minute. The Mier error — reminiscent of costly mistakes earlier in the campaign — handed El Rebaño an undeserved lead.Cruz Azul's response was swift and emphatic. Captain Charly Rodríguez, latching onto a pass in the area, produced a delicious chip over the stranded Oscar Whalley that clipped the post before nestling into the net. It was a goal of genuine quality and silenced any nerves inside the ground. The teams went in level at 1–1 at the break, the match perfectly poised."The series is not over. We know we have to go to Jalisco and fight, but our squad has the character to do it."— Joel Huiqui, Cruz Azul Head CoachSecond Half: VAR Drama and an Ex-Blue's StingChivas came out for the second half with far greater urgency. Within minutes of the restart, Gabriel Milito's side regained the lead: a precisely weighted cross from Miguel Gómez found the head of Ángel Sepúlveda — the former Cruz Azul striker — who powered his header past Mier to restore Chivas' advantage. The former Blue observed a measured celebration out of respect for his previous club, though the goal could prove pivotal to the tie.Cruz Azul refused to fold. Pressure from Rotondi and Palavecino eventually forced a key incident: a challenge on Ebere in the penalty area was checked by VAR before referee Maximiliano Quintero pointed to the spot. The decision sparked fury from Chivas, with television replays fueling debate over whether contact was sufficient for a penalty. Ebere stepped up and coolly dispatched into the top-right corner to level at 2–2 in the 55th minute — his second goal in consecutive playoff rounds.Both sides pushed for a winner in the final half-hour, with Willer Ditta rattling the post for Cruz Azul and Chivas substitute Sergio Aguayo forcing a strong save from Mier. Yellow cards for Palavecino, Ledezma and Sepúlveda raised tensions further, while the late withdrawal of José Paradela through injury added to Cruz Azul's concerns ahead of the return.Key Moments Timeline29' — GOALSantiago Sandoval converts the rebound after Kevin Mier's spill. Chivas 0–1.32' — GOALCharly Rodríguez chips Whalley with an audacious finish off the post. 1–1.45+2' — YELLOWPalavecino (Cruz Azul) and Ledezma (Chivas) booked after a heated confrontation at half-time.50' — GOALÁngel Sepúlveda heads past Mier on the rebound. Cruz Azul 1–2 Chivas.52' — VARPenalty awarded to Cruz Azul after review — a call that sparked major controversy.55' — GOAL (PEN)Christian Ebere slots into the top corner. 2–2.78' — OFFJosé Paradela substituted through injury — a concern for the second leg.Statistical SnapshotCruz Azul: 22 consecutive games scoringMatch No. 600 for Cruz Azul in Liga MX historyChivas: 5 players absent (national duty)Ebere: 3rd goal in this liguillaRodríguez: Captain's goal in a must-win momentWhat's at Stake in the Second LegThe 2–2 aggregate score means Saturday's return at Estadio Jalisco (7:07 p.m. CT, May 16, on Prime Video) is effectively a single-leg final. Critically, Chivas finished second in the regular season while Cruz Azul placed third — meaning any aggregate tie after 180 minutes would see Guadalajara advance on table position, without the need for extra time or penalties.For Cruz Azul, the mathematics are unforgiving: they must win outright in Jalisco to reach the final, where they would host as the neutral-venue team at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla — the Azteca having already been handed to FIFA for World Cup preparations. A draw or defeat sends Chivas through.The other semifinal pits Pumas vs. Pachuca, with Cruz Azul's potential final opponent still to be determined. Facebook Twitter
Mexico City was treated to a semifinal for the ages as Cruz Azul and Chivas played to an absorbing 2–2 draw in the first leg of the Liga MX Clausura 2026 semifinal, leaving the tie perfectly poised for the return fixture at Estadio Jalisco on Saturday, May 16.Match OverviewPlayed at the storied Estadio Azteca — making one of its final appearances as a football venue before being handed over to FIFA ahead of the 2026 World Cup — the match lived up to its billing with constant momentum shifts, individual brilliance and a generous helping of controversy. Both sides scored twice and neither could land a decisive blow, setting up a tense return leg in Guadalajara where Chivas hold the advantage by virtue of their superior regular-season standing.Joel Huiqui's Cruz Azul dominated early possession but were left to rue missed chances as the Nigerian striker Christian Ebere spurned three opportunities in the opening quarter-hour. Chivas, assembled with multiple first-team absentees due to national team call-ups, showed remarkable resilience and punished La Máquina's wastefulness on the counter.First Half: Sandoval Strikes, Rodríguez RespondsCruz Azul set the early tempo, pressing high and creating danger through Ebere and Agustín Palavecino. Yet it was Chivas who drew first blood. A long-range effort from Ricardo Marín was only parried by goalkeeper Kevin Mier, and Santiago Sandoval was quickest to react, tapping home at the back post in the 29th minute. The Mier error — reminiscent of costly mistakes earlier in the campaign — handed El Rebaño an undeserved lead.Cruz Azul's response was swift and emphatic. Captain Charly Rodríguez, latching onto a pass in the area, produced a delicious chip over the stranded Oscar Whalley that clipped the post before nestling into the net. It was a goal of genuine quality and silenced any nerves inside the ground. The teams went in level at 1–1 at the break, the match perfectly poised."The series is not over. We know we have to go to Jalisco and fight, but our squad has the character to do it."— Joel Huiqui, Cruz Azul Head CoachSecond Half: VAR Drama and an Ex-Blue's StingChivas came out for the second half with far greater urgency. Within minutes of the restart, Gabriel Milito's side regained the lead: a precisely weighted cross from Miguel Gómez found the head of Ángel Sepúlveda — the former Cruz Azul striker — who powered his header past Mier to restore Chivas' advantage. The former Blue observed a measured celebration out of respect for his previous club, though the goal could prove pivotal to the tie.Cruz Azul refused to fold. Pressure from Rotondi and Palavecino eventually forced a key incident: a challenge on Ebere in the penalty area was checked by VAR before referee Maximiliano Quintero pointed to the spot. The decision sparked fury from Chivas, with television replays fueling debate over whether contact was sufficient for a penalty. Ebere stepped up and coolly dispatched into the top-right corner to level at 2–2 in the 55th minute — his second goal in consecutive playoff rounds.Both sides pushed for a winner in the final half-hour, with Willer Ditta rattling the post for Cruz Azul and Chivas substitute Sergio Aguayo forcing a strong save from Mier. Yellow cards for Palavecino, Ledezma and Sepúlveda raised tensions further, while the late withdrawal of José Paradela through injury added to Cruz Azul's concerns ahead of the return.Key Moments Timeline29' — GOALSantiago Sandoval converts the rebound after Kevin Mier's spill. Chivas 0–1.32' — GOALCharly Rodríguez chips Whalley with an audacious finish off the post. 1–1.45+2' — YELLOWPalavecino (Cruz Azul) and Ledezma (Chivas) booked after a heated confrontation at half-time.50' — GOALÁngel Sepúlveda heads past Mier on the rebound. Cruz Azul 1–2 Chivas.52' — VARPenalty awarded to Cruz Azul after review — a call that sparked major controversy.55' — GOAL (PEN)Christian Ebere slots into the top corner. 2–2.78' — OFFJosé Paradela substituted through injury — a concern for the second leg.Statistical SnapshotCruz Azul: 22 consecutive games scoringMatch No. 600 for Cruz Azul in Liga MX historyChivas: 5 players absent (national duty)Ebere: 3rd goal in this liguillaRodríguez: Captain's goal in a must-win momentWhat's at Stake in the Second LegThe 2–2 aggregate score means Saturday's return at Estadio Jalisco (7:07 p.m. CT, May 16, on Prime Video) is effectively a single-leg final. Critically, Chivas finished second in the regular season while Cruz Azul placed third — meaning any aggregate tie after 180 minutes would see Guadalajara advance on table position, without the need for extra time or penalties.For Cruz Azul, the mathematics are unforgiving: they must win outright in Jalisco to reach the final, where they would host as the neutral-venue team at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla — the Azteca having already been handed to FIFA for World Cup preparations. A draw or defeat sends Chivas through.The other semifinal pits Pumas vs. Pachuca, with Cruz Azul's potential final opponent still to be determined.
