Introduction
Following the September FIFA break, which saw Mexico’s national team pause Liga MX activities to face Corea del Sur and Japón, the Apertura 2025 tournament resumed with Jornada 8. Chivas and Cruz Azul captured the spotlight as the league restarted, with both teams showcasing their prowess in crucial matches.
Chivas’ Surprising Victory in Clásico Nacional
Chivas stunned everyone with a 2-1 triumph over América in the Clásico Nacional, thanks to goals from Roberto ‘Piojo’ Alvarado and Armando ‘Hormiga’ González at the Ciudad de los Deportes stadium. The win ended an eight-year drought for Chivas in regular-season Clásicos, with their last victory dating back to February 18, 2017.
Chivas had only managed one win in their previous six matches and sat near the bottom of the general standings. Meanwhile, América was one of only two unbeaten teams in the Apertura 2025, alongside Cruz Azul. However, Chivas’ strategic and determined play proved superior in Mexico City:
“We needed the win, as we were being left behind. Finally, it came, and I hope it’s the start of better things to come,” said Chivas head coach Gabriel Milito.
América’s coach, André Jardine, acknowledged Chivas’ strong performance:
“We need a lot of humility and recognize the game Chivas played. They outperformed us. They secured three points, and we must look forward.”
Despite the victory, Chivas remains outside the top 10 in the Apertura 2025 standings for now. However, they aim to gain significant momentum with three consecutive home games ahead, including matches against Tigres (Jornada 1), Toluca (Jornada 9), and Necaxa (Jornada 10).
Cruz Azul and Monterrey Dominate the Standings
At the top of the table, two teams continue to shine: Cruz Azul, the only unbeaten team after eight rounds, and Monterrey, who boasts seven consecutive wins and leads the pack.
Cruz Azul defeated Pachuca 0-1 as a visitor in a contentious match that resulted in three red cards. Luis Quiñones and Alonso Aceves were sent off for Pachuca, while Jesús Orozco Chiquete received a red for Cruz Azul. One of these reds led to a penalty for Cruz Azul, which Gabriel ‘Toro’ Fernández converted successfully at the 65th minute, securing their sixth consecutive win and bringing their total to 20 points (with a couple of draws).
Cruz Azul’s coach, Nicolás Larcamón, remains cautious about the winning streak:
“We won’t get carried away by six consecutive victories. We continue to push ourselves, as our goals are much bigger.”
Monterrey leads the Apertura 2025 with 21 points and the best goal difference (+9) among the 18 teams. However, they face challenging upcoming matches against América and Toluca to maintain their position.
Other notable results from Jornada 8 include Pumas’ 4-1 victory over Mazatlán as visitors and defending champions Toluca’s 3-1 win against Puebla at the Nemesio Diez stadium.
Jornada 9 kicks off on September 19 with four matches, including Cruz Azul hosting Bravos de Juárez in pursuit of their seventh consecutive win. Later that weekend, Pumas will face Tigres, Chivas will play Toluca, and Monterrey will take on América.
Top 5 Teams After Jornada 8
- Monterrey: 21 points, +9 goal difference
- Cruz Azul: 20 points, +8 goal difference
- América: 17 points, +8 goal difference
- Toluca: 16 points, +8 goal difference
- Tigres: 14 points, +8 goal difference
Tijuana could potentially replace Tigres in fifth place if they defeat Atlético de San Luis at home this coming Sunday night.
