Cruz Azul and Chivas End in 0-0 Draw as Cruz Azul Takes Playoff Advantage

It wasn't pretty, but it was decisive. Cruz Azul and Club Deportivo Guadalajara — better known as Chivas — played out a tense, goalless stalemate on Friday, November 28, 2025, at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico. The final whistle blew at 90'+4 minutes, leaving fans breathless and the playoff series hanging by a thread. According to Rafael Hernandez of FMF State of Mind, the 0-0 result gives Cruz Azul the crucial away-goal advantage heading into the second leg. In a rivalry where every inch matters, that single point could be the difference between glory and heartbreak.

The Rivalry That Never Sleeps

This wasn’t just another playoff match. It was the 32nd meeting between these two giants of Mexican football, a rivalry older than many of the players on the pitch. Cruz Azul holds the edge with 15 wins to Chivas’s 7, with 10 draws in between — a statistical mirror of the emotional tension that defines every encounter. The crowd at Estadio Akron was electric, but the silence after every missed chance was even louder. This match had the weight of decades behind it — and the pressure of a title still within reach.

Chivas, playing at home, opted for a cautious 3-4-2-1 formation, banking on defense and counterattacks. Goalkeeper Jose Rangel was rarely tested, but when he was — like on a late header from Miguel Gómez in the 90'+1 minute — he stood tall. The cross from Daniel Aguirre was perfect, but Gómez’s header drifted just left of the post. It was the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock.

Substitutions, Fouls, and Near-Misses

The match was a chess match disguised as football. Every substitution felt strategic. At the 62nd minute, Armando Gonzalez — Chivas’s lone striker — was replaced by S. Sandoval, a move meant to inject pace. Eight minutes later, Efrain Alvarez and Richard Ledezma both came off, making way for J. Hernández and M. Gómez, signaling a shift toward survival rather than attack. Cruz Azul didn’t push harder; they held tighter. Their midfielders, including Omar Govea and Fernando Gonzalez, worked tirelessly to cut off passing lanes.

Fouls came thick and fast — 17 in total, per Opta data. Luis Romo picked up a yellow for a late tackle at 66', and W. Ditta was booked at 70' for a dangerous challenge. The final whistle was preceded by a last-ditch foul by J. Márquez at 90'+4, a desperate attempt to stop a Chivas break. No cards were shown, but tempers flared. This was football at its most raw — no goals, but plenty of grit.

Why This Draw Matters More Than a Win

In two-legged playoffs, the away goals rule is dead — but the psychological weight of scoring away from home isn’t. Even without a goal, Cruz Azul now controls the narrative. They’ll host the second leg at Estadio Azteca with the advantage: they need only a draw to advance. Chivas, meanwhile, must win outright — or risk being eliminated on away goals if they score one and Cruz Azul answers with one of their own.

"It’s not about what happened here," said one veteran Chivas supporter, draped in red and white, as he left the stadium. "It’s about what happens next. And we’re not done yet." The tactical battle was fascinating. Chivas’s 3-4-2-1 formation was designed to clog space, but it left their wingers isolated. Cruz Azul’s 4-2-3-1 looked more fluid, but they lacked the final third precision. Opta’s xG (expected goals) chart showed both teams created barely above 0.8 chances per 90 minutes — well below the league average. This wasn’t poor play; it was high-stakes caution.

What Comes Next

The second leg will be played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, likely on December 4, 2025. With the draw in Guadalajara, Cruz Azul enters as favorites — but not by much. Chivas have won their last three home playoff matches, and their fans are notoriously loud when they believe in a comeback.

Expect both teams to make bold moves. Cruz Azul may push Roberto Alvarado higher, while Chivas could bring in Jonathan Rodríguez — their top scorer this season — to lead the line. The pressure on Jose Rangel will be immense. One mistake, one moment of brilliance, and the series flips.

The Bigger Picture

This playoff series is more than just a ticket to the final. It’s a statement. Cruz Azul hasn’t won a Liga MX title since 2021. Chivas, once the most successful club in Mexican history, hasn’t lifted the trophy since 2006. Both are desperate. Both are proud. Neither wants to be remembered as the team that choked when it mattered most.

For now, the ball is in Cruz Azul’s court. But in football, as in life, advantages can vanish in an instant. The next 90 minutes will decide more than just a semifinal. They’ll decide legacies.