The Comeback Kids: America’s Triumph Over Cruz Azul
America, known for their dramatic comebacks, once again staged a remarkable turnaround to defeat Cruz Azul 2-1 in the semifinal return leg at Ciudad de los Deportes. This victory secures their place in the Clausura 2025 final, where they aim for a historic tetracampeonato in the Liga MX.
A Tale of Two Halves: America’s Dominant Performance
Throughout the match, America maintained a relentless pursuit of goals, outshooting and outmaneuvering Cruz Azul. Despite early setbacks, their perseverance paid off when they managed to reverse the score from the first leg (1-0) at Estadio Ciudad Universitaria, ultimately leveling the aggregate score at 2-2. This triumph not only ended Cruz Azul’s impressive 19-game unbeaten streak but also showcased America’s resilience.
Henry Martín’s Leadership and Cristian Borja’s Crucial Goal
America’s striker Henry Martín, who had previously experienced frustration, rose to the occasion as a true captain. He capitalized on a penalty kick at the 66th minute following a foul by Cruz Azul’s goalkeeper Kevin Mier on Rodrigo ‘Búfalo’ Aguirre. This pivotal moment transformed Mier from a hero to a villain, as his error led directly to America’s advancement.
Cristian Borja sealed America’s victory with a goal in the 79th minute after Diego Valdés’ corner kick. This goal, along with Martín’s penalty, secured America’s spot in the final against Toluca.
The Road to the Final: America vs. Toluca
America, under the guidance of Andre Jardine, aims for their fourth consecutive final. Meanwhile, Toluca, led by coach Turco Mohamed, seeks to end a 15-year title drought and break their streak of three consecutive runner-up finishes (Apertura 2012, Clausura 2018, Apertura 2022).
Post-Match Reactions
Paulo Víctor, Assistant Coach to Andre Jardine
On leading America to four consecutive finals:
“It’s an immense honor to be part of this institution, this work team, and the entire club staff who deserve all the credit. We feel privileged and proud of this group of players. Two years ago, we never imagined achieving four finals in a row when we left Brazil. We must acknowledge the club’s support, which has been exceptional.”
On America’s comeback against Cruz Azul:
“I don’t believe America was ever on the brink of defeat. It’s about strategies and game plans. In the first match, we played with a central defender; now we’ve brought on Ramón. Zendejas, who missed the first leg due to stomach issues, has returned. These are tactical decisions based on the rules, game intensity, and match situations. Our defensive, offensive, and transition strategies worked perfectly, as we had studied Cruz Azul’s game style.”
On scoring goals in Liguilla matches:
“In these crucial matches, we focus on four 45-minute quarters. We returned in the second half with a strong performance and needed those goals. There’s nothing new here; we’ve done it before. The conversation during substitutions was key.”
Vicente Sánchez, Cruz Azul Head Coach
On the defeat:
“Devastated. We are saddened. From the start, we aimed for both tournaments—the league and Concacaf Champions League. Although we played two parallel tournaments, our intention was to compete for both. Now, we must turn the page quickly and prepare for the final.”
On Kevin Mier’s error leading to the penalty:
“There are no individual errors. We are a team. When we win, we all win; when we lose, we all lose. We knew it would be tight and intense, knowing they’d push closer to our goal. We conceded a goal in a transition and then allowed their goals. We tried to score but didn’t have enough time.”
Lessons Learned: Cruz Azul’s Perspective
“We will analyze the game. Semifinals are decided by fine details, and we knew this match would come down to those details. This is what makes the Mexican League so beautiful. We must be prepared for such matches and gain experience. Turning things around quickly is essential. I’d like to thank the players for their hard work, as it’s not easy to play every two or three days. We only had a break during FIFA dates. I also want to thank the families and fans who supported us throughout the tournament and will continue to support us in the final.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the final score of the semifinal return leg match between America and Cruz Azul? America won 2-1, leveling the aggregate score at 2-2 and advancing to the Clausura 2025 final.
- Who scored the crucial penalty for America? Henry Martín converted the penalty kick at the 66th minute.
- What is America’s current streak in Liga MX finals? America aims for their fourth consecutive final under Andre Jardine’s leadership.
- What is Toluca’s recent history in Liga MX finals? Toluca has three consecutive runner-up finishes (Apertura 2012, Clausura 2018, Apertura 2022) and seeks to end their 15-year title drought.
- What was Cruz Azul’s response to their semifinal defeat? Cruz Azul head coach Vicente Sánchez expressed disappointment and sadness, emphasizing the need to quickly turn the page and prepare for the final.
