Cruz Azul Stuns Chivas with 0-0 Draw, Takes Control of Liga MX Quarterfinal

On Friday, November 28, 2025, Cruz Azul walked out of Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Jalisco, with nothing but a 0-0 draw — and everything to gain. Against a Chivas side that dominated possession, created more chances, and pressed high for 90 minutes, Cruz Azul’s defense held firm. The result wasn’t pretty, but it was perfect. For Cruz Azul, managed by Nicolás Larcamón, it was a tactical masterclass. For Chivas, led by Gabriel Milito, it was a nightmare made real: all that control, all that pressure, and still no goal.

Why a Draw Was a Win for Cruz Azul

Here’s the thing: in Liga MX’s playoff format, away goals don’t matter. What matters is aggregate score — and seeding. Cruz Azul finished second in the Apertura 2025 regular season. Chivas? Seventh. That means if the two-legged tie ends level, Cruz Azul advances. So when Cruz Azul held Chivas scoreless at Estadio Akron — where the Rebaño Sagrado had won 8 of their last 10 home playoff matches — they didn’t just survive. They seized control.

Analyst David Faitelson, whose commentary on SoyFutbol.com and X (formerly Twitter) carries weight across Mexico, put it bluntly: "Chivas will have to come and win at CU?" The "CU" is shorthand for Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City, where Cruz Azul plays its home games. Faitelson’s words weren’t just analysis — they were a psychological dagger. For Chivas, the pressure just went from "win" to "win by at least one goal." No room for error. No safety net.

Chivas’ Offensive Woes, Again

Chivas had the ball. They had the chances. They had the energy. According to match data from SoyFutbol.com, they created 14 clear scoring opportunities — nearly double Cruz Azul’s five. Yet they finished zero. Again.

It’s a pattern. In their last three home playoff matches, Chivas have failed to score in two. Their last goal in a knockout game? Over 270 minutes ago. Gabriel Milito’s squad pressed aggressively, moved the ball crisply, and stretched Cruz Azul’s backline repeatedly. But when it came to the final pass or shot, the precision vanished. Shots sailed wide. Finishes were rushed. Even the usually reliable José Juan Macías missed a one-on-one in the 67th minute that would’ve changed everything.

"Their accuracy and final decisions were once again a problem," wrote reporter Rafael Hernandez of FMF State of Mind. "It’s not just luck. It’s mindset. They believe they should win. But they don’t believe they can finish."

Cruz Azul’s Defensive Discipline

Meanwhile, Nicolás Larcamón did the opposite of what you’d expect. Instead of parking the bus, he set up a compact 4-5-1, with midfielders constantly shifting to cut passing lanes. Goalkeeper Raúl Gudiño made three critical saves, including a fingertip stop on a José Cruz Gutiérrez curler in the 32nd minute. But the real story was the backline: Eduardo Bargas and Cristian Álvarez were relentless in one-on-one situations, never letting Chivas’ wingers get space to cross.

They didn’t need to dominate. They needed to survive. And they did. In fact, they didn’t even attempt a single shot on target — but they didn’t need to. Their goal wasn’t to score. It was to avoid conceding. Mission accomplished.

A Comeback Legacy

This isn’t the first time Cruz Azul has turned a seemingly impossible situation into a miracle. Just one year ago, in the Apertura 2024 quarterfinals, they lost 3-0 to Tijuana at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes. Everyone wrote them off. But on November 30, 2024, in the second leg — also at Estadio Azul — they scored three times. Angel Sepúlveda netted the winner. They advanced. On away goals? No. On seeding. Exactly like now.

"They’ve got a culture of resilience," said José Luis Melgarejo in AS.com’s post-match analysis. "When the odds are stacked, they don’t panic. They tighten. They wait. And then they make you pay for your arrogance."

What’s Next: The Pressure Cooker in Mexico City

The second leg is set for Sunday, December 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM CST at Estadio Olímpico Universitario — a 63,000-seat cauldron of noise, history, and expectation. For Chivas, it’s do-or-die. Win, and they live. Lose or draw, and their season ends.

For Cruz Azul? It’s a chance to breathe. They can sit back. They can absorb pressure. They can even park the bus — and still go through. The psychological edge is theirs. The home crowd? They’ll be loud, yes. But they’ll also be nervous. Every tackle, every clearance, every misplaced pass will be scrutinized. The Rebaño Sagrado knows: they’ve been here before. And they’ve lost before.

"They’re not just playing for a semifinal spot," said Faitelson on his podcast. "They’re playing to erase the ghosts of last year’s collapse. And now, they’re playing against a team that’s seen it all — and survived it."