Cruz Azul opened the scoring late in the first half. Defender Jesús Orozco Chiquete struck from distance in the 43rd minute, sending a powerful shot off the post and into the net, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead at halftime. Monterrey struggled to create clear opportunities, especially after going down to ten men, and Cruz Azul controlled possession for large stretches of the match.
In the second half, Cruz Azul continued to press for a second goal, with notable saves from Monterrey goalkeeper Luis Cárdenas keeping the visitors in contention. Both teams made several substitutions, including the introduction of Ángel Sepúlveda and Luka Romero for Cruz Azul, and Anthony Martial and Jesús Corona for Monterrey.
The decisive moment came in stoppage time. In the 90+6th minute, Ángel Sepúlveda scored following a through ball, beating Cárdenas in a one-on-one situation. The goal was initially ruled offside but was confirmed after a VAR review, sealing the 2-0 result for Cruz Azul. Monterrey’s attempts to find a late equalizer were denied by a solid defensive performance and key saves by Cruz Azul’s goalkeeper Kevin Mier.
This result keeps Cruz Azul firmly in the Liguilla places and extends their impressive home form. Monterrey, who had entered the match third in the table, now face added pressure as the tournament enters its final stages. Both clubs will be looking to maximize points in their remaining fixtures to secure favorable positions for the playoffs.
Key match statistics included 56% possession for Cruz Azul, 16 total shots, and a disciplined defensive display that limited Monterrey’s opportunities after the red card. The game also featured a minute of silence in memory of Manuel Lapuente, observed before kickoff.
You can find a full minute-by-minute recap and additional stats on AS Mexico’s live coverage or see the official summary from TUDN MEX.
With the playoff race heating up, Cruz Azul’s performance at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario could prove decisive as they aim for another deep postseason run in Liga MX.