CDMX, México.- The final stretch of the Clausura 2025 tournament is here, and on Tuesday, April 15, Jornada 16 of Liga MX kicked off with four matches that could be crucial in the battle for a direct ticket to the Liguilla or for teams to remain in the Play-In. With only two dates left on the calendar, every point counts, and the margin for error is minimal.
In a showdown of titans, Pachuca faced Tigres at Estadio Hidalgo at 19:00 hours (CDMX), in a clash that could mark the fate of both teams heading towards the Fiesta Grande. Both clubs sit in the direct qualification zone and need to add points to avoid dropping to the Play-In. Meanwhile, later in the evening, Cruz Azul squared off against León at 21:05 hours at Estadio Olímpico Universitario in a high-stakes duel. La Máquina fought to stay atop the general table, while La Fiera aimed to solidify their position among the top six and avoid relying on combinations in the final round.
In less glamorous but equally crucial matches, Chivas hosted Puebla at 19:05 hours at Estadio Akron, with both teams desperate to earn points to either enter or remain in Play-In spots. At 21:00 hours, FC Juárez faced Necaxa in a border clash. Juárez aimed to finish a difficult tournament with dignity, while Necaxa still harbored dreams of sneaking into the top ten with a victory on the road.
As for the standings in Clausura 2025, Toluca leads the pack with 33 points, followed closely by América with 31 points. The race for direct Liguilla spots is heating up, with León, Tigres, Cruz Azul, and Pachuca completing the top six, although their places are not yet secure. Clubs like Necaxa, Monterrey, Chivas, and Santos still hold hopes of qualifying for the Play-In, while Atlas, Puebla, Juárez, and Tijuana are searching for miracles to stay alive.
Fans eager to catch the action on Tuesday, April 15, had to navigate streaming options as none of the matches were broadcast on open television. Pachuca vs Tigres was available on Tubi at 19:00 hours, Chivas vs Puebla on Amazon Prime at 19:05 hours, FC Juárez vs Necaxa on Tubi and Azteca Deportes Network at 21:00 hours, and Cruz Azul vs León on ViX Premium at 21:05 hours.
The excitement didn't stop there, as Wednesday, April 16, was set to feature five more matches, with special attention on the clash between Rayados and América, a rematch of the last Liga MX Final. Additionally, Toluca was set to visit Atlético de San Luis in hopes of securing their lead. With just two matchdays remaining, Clausura 2025 is more alive than ever. Who will make it to the Liguilla? Who will fall short at the last gasp? Jornada 16 could provide many answers.
In the notable matchup between Cruz Azul and León, the teams took to the field at Estadio Olímpico Universitario, where Cruz Azul sought to climb the standings. The home team, known as La Máquina, started the match in their striking third kit, a bold red and blue contrast. Unfortunately for the locals, goalkeeper Kevin Mier was unable to start due to a stomach infection, making way for Andrés Gudiño.
León, embodying their namesake, pressed high from the beginning and did not retreat into their half at Estadio Olímpico Universitario. After ten minutes, the game appeared evenly matched until Rodolfo Rotondi unleashed a missile from his left foot in the 12th minute. The ball was destined for the top corner, but goalkeeper Oscar Jiménez made a spectacular save, deflecting it onto the crossbar. This prompted the referee to consult the VAR for a possible penalty for Cruz Azul due to a potential foul in the area, but after several minutes of review, it was determined that there was an offside prior to the foul.
As the first half progressed, Cruz Azul seemed more settled, creating at least three scoring opportunities while León retreated to defend. Rotondi proved a constant threat on the left flank, delivering dangerous crosses and firing powerful shots that could have yielded results. Mateusz Bogusz also troubled the Esmeraldas with a shot that sailed just over the crossbar in the 32nd minute, as the León defense wavered. James Rodríguez responded for León in the 34th minute, finding space in the Cruz Azul box, but his shot was easily handled by Gudiño. The first half ended 0-0, leaving the home side with a bitter taste as they sought to please their fans.
The second half began with intensity, as Cruz Azul pressed forward, convinced they could catch a León side that had shown its teeth throughout the first half. León had a chance to score first in the 49th minute, but Gudiño made a crucial save on a powerful shot from Chava Reyes. The deadlock was broken in the 58th minute when León executed a lethal counterattack, with John Stiven Mendoza beating Gudiño with a low, curling shot to give the visitors the lead.
In response to falling behind, Cruz Azul's coach Vicente Sánchez opted for a tactical refresh, making three substitutions in the 65th minute: Girgios Giakoumakis, "Toro" Fernández, and Amaury Morales entered the fray in search of an equalizer. Cruz Azul, sitting fifth in the standings with 29 points, sought to extend their unbeaten streak to nine matches, having last lost to Tigres in match seven. León, on the other hand, was third in the table with 30 points and was looking to solidify its position among the top four ahead of the Liguilla.
The stakes were high, as the team that emerged victorious would secure a direct spot in the quarterfinals of the Clausura 2025 tournament, underscoring the significance of this clash.
