The CD Guadalajara and Cruz Azul played out a gripping, goalless stalemate in the first leg of the Liga MX Apertura Playoffs QuarterfinalsEstadio Akron on Wednesday, November 27, 2025, under the dim glow of Guadalajara’s night lights. The 0-0 draw wasn’t just a result—it was a tactical war of attrition, where chances were scarce, nerves were raw, and every tackle carried the weight of elimination. With the second leg looming on Sunday, November 30, the away goals rule now hangs over this rivalry like a storm cloud. Neither team dared to gamble, and the silence after the final whistle told the story louder than any goal could have.
Zero Goals, High Stakes
For 94 minutes, fans held their breath. CD Guadalajara, known for its attacking flair and passionate home support, looked frustrated. Efrain Álvarez, their creative spark wearing No. 10, was constantly double-teamed. Daniel Aguirre, the right-back, was one of the few who pushed forward, delivering the final cross in the 90+1 minute that Miguel Gómez headed just wide. It was the closest either side came. Cruz Azul, meanwhile, parked the bus with disciplined precision. Their midfield trio of Luis Romo, William Ditta, and Gilberto Fernández swallowed space like a sponge. No goals. No errors. Just survival.
A Battle of Substitutions
The bench became a chessboard. Nine changes were made across both sides—unusually high for a playoff match. Javier Hernández, the veteran forward, came on at 78’ to inject experience into a fading attack. He didn’t score, but his presence unsettled Cruz Azul’s backline. For the visitors, Luis Romero replaced J. Paradela at 88’, a late gamble that paid off defensively. The substitutions weren’t about flair—they were about damage control. Santiago Sandoval replaced Armando González at 62’, a move that shifted Guadalajara’s shape from a 4-3-3 to something more compact. The result? A midfield that barely let Cruz Azul breathe, but also couldn’t create.
History Between the Rivals
This wasn’t just any match. CD Guadalajara and Cruz Azul have clashed 47 times in Liga MX playoffs since 1970. The last playoff meeting? 2021, when Guadalajara won 2-1 on aggregate. That win still echoes in the stands of Estadio Akron. But this season, Cruz Azul had the upper hand in the regular phase, winning both league encounters 1-0. So the 0-0 draw feels like a moral victory for the visitors. For Guadalajara, it’s a missed opportunity. They had 68% possession. They had 14 shots—five on target. Yet, they couldn’t break through. The pressure isn’t just on the players—it’s on the coach. Who blinks first in the second leg?
What Happens Next? The Away Goals Trap
The away goals rule is the silent referee in this series. If the aggregate remains 0-0 after the second leg at Cruz Azul’s Estadio Azteca, the visitors advance. That’s the nightmare scenario for Guadalajara. It means playing at home, dominating possession, and still going home early. Cruz Azul knows this. That’s why they didn’t attack. They didn’t need to. All they needed was to survive. And they did. Now, the tables turn. The second leg will be played on Sunday, November 30, 2025, under the lights of Mexico City. Cruz Azul will be the ones needing to score. Guadalajara will be the ones needing to avoid mistakes. It’s a psychological game now. Who’s more afraid to lose?
The Human Element
Look at the lineup. Raúl Rangel, the 22-year-old goalkeeper for Guadalajara, played his first playoff match. He didn’t have a single save to make. That’s not luck—it’s discipline. For Cruz Azul, J. Márquez, the 36-year-old captain, played the full 90. He didn’t touch the ball much, but his voice? Constant. He was the glue. And then there’s Efrain Álvarez, the 21-year-old who’s been the heartbeat of Guadalajara all season. He was marked so tightly, he barely saw the ball in the final third. He left the pitch with his head down. Fans chanted his name anyway. That’s the thing about this rivalry—it doesn’t care about stats. It cares about heart.
What’s at Stake Beyond the Scoreline
This isn’t just about who reaches the semifinals. It’s about legacy. Guadalajara hasn’t reached the Liga MX final since 2018. Cruz Azul hasn’t won a title since 2021. Both clubs are in a rebuilding phase, but their fanbases still expect trophies. A loss here could mean managerial changes. A win? Momentum. A wave. The stakes aren’t just points—they’re identities. And for the first time in years, the rivalry feels like it’s on the edge of something bigger. Not just a match. A turning point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn’t Guadalajara score despite dominating possession?
Guadalajara had 68% possession and 14 shots, but Cruz Azul’s compact 5-4-1 formation left no space in the final third. Key attackers like Efrain Álvarez were double-marked, and crosses from Daniel Aguirre and Bryan González lacked precision. The final ball was consistently off, and Cruz Azul’s center-backs, led by J. Márquez, cleared everything under pressure.
How does the away goals rule affect the second leg?
If the aggregate is tied 0-0 after the second leg, Cruz Azul advances because they scored no goals away from home—meaning they get the advantage. Guadalajara must win outright or draw with at least one goal to avoid elimination. A 1-1 draw sends Cruz Azul through. That’s why the second leg will be a defensive masterclass from the hosts.
Who are the key players to watch in the second leg?
For Guadalajara, Javier Hernández’s experience and Miguel Gómez’s aerial threat are critical. For Cruz Azul, Luis Romo’s midfield control and goalkeeper J. Márquez’s leadership will decide the outcome. If Álvarez breaks free, Guadalajara could win. If Romo shuts him down, Cruz Azul will hold on.
Has a 0-0 first leg ever led to a surprising second-leg result in Liga MX playoffs?
Yes. In 2021, Tigres and América drew 0-0 in the first leg. América won 2-0 at home in the second leg. But in 2019, Chivas lost 0-0 at home and then lost 1-0 away. The away goals rule has flipped results before—especially when the home team feels pressured to score, leaving gaps for counterattacks.
What’s the historical edge between these two teams in playoffs?
In 47 playoff meetings since 1970, CD Guadalajara has won 21, Cruz Azul 19, and 7 have ended in draws. Guadalajara holds a slight edge, but Cruz Azul has won the last three playoff series between them (2011, 2013, 2021). This makes the psychological advantage razor-thin—and dangerous.
What happens if the second leg also ends 0-0?
If the aggregate remains 0-0 after extra time, the winner is determined by a penalty shootout. No away goals rule applies after extra time. That’s the last resort. Both teams know this. So expect the second leg to be cautious until the final 15 minutes—when desperation might finally override discipline.