In a highly anticipated showdown, Club America and Cruz Azul are set to clash in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The first leg ended in a tense 0-0 draw, leaving both teams eager to secure their spot in the semifinals. With both sides fielding their strongest lineups, the stakes couldn't be higher.
Club America, managed by Andre Jardine, is looking to advance to the semifinals for the seventh consecutive time. During this impressive run, they have reached the finals three times, clinching the championship in the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 editions. Their recent performances in Liga MX have been commendable, with America leading the Clausura 2025. However, they will need to convert possession into goals to overcome Cruz Azul.
On the other hand, Cruz Azul, under the guidance of coach Vicente Sanchez, is aiming for their third consecutive appearance in the semifinals, having been eliminated by Liga MX teams in the previous two editions. The team comes into this match with a boost of confidence following a recent victory over Pumas UNAM in Liga MX. Currently sitting sixth in the league standings with 25 points from 13 games, Cruz Azul knows they need to dig deep to secure a win against their rivals.
Both teams have a rich history of competition, with Club America holding a slight edge in their head-to-head record. In all competitions, Club America has won 25 matches against Cruz Azul, while the latter has won 13 times, and there have been 18 draws. The last time Cruz Azul eliminated Club America was back in the Copa MX semifinals in 2013, a fact that adds extra motivation for the team.
As they prepare for the decisive match, both teams are keenly aware of the importance of this game. Club America dominated possession in the first leg but failed to capitalize on their chances, something they will need to rectify. "We controlled the game, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal," Jardine stated after the first leg.
Cruz Azul's defense has proven to be resilient, and they will look to leverage their home advantage to secure a victory. "We know what’s at stake, and our focus is on executing our game plan to the fullest," Sanchez remarked during a pre-match press conference.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 20:30 local time (8:30 PM) in Mexico City, which translates to 22:30 (10:30 PM) Eastern Time. Fans can catch the action live on Tubi in Mexico, while viewers in the USA can tune in via TUDN and Telemundo. For those in India, the match will be available for live streaming on the Fancode app and website at 9:00 AM IST on Wednesday, April 9.
Historically, Club America has not lost in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup since facing Atlanta United in 2020. They are determined to maintain that streak against Cruz Azul, who have not lost in international tournaments since a defeat to Inter Miami during the Leagues Cup 2023 group stage. This season, Cruz Azul has dominated the earlier rounds of the Champions Cup, winning their matches by an impressive aggregate score of 11-1 and boasting a goal difference of +10.
As the match approaches, both teams are feeling the pressure. With a place in the semifinals on the line, fans can expect a thrilling encounter filled with intensity and drama. The rivalry between these two clubs adds an extra layer of excitement to the match, and both sets of supporters are eager to see their teams advance.
In conclusion, the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal between Club America and Cruz Azul promises to be a captivating spectacle. With both teams bringing their best players to the pitch and a scoreless tie hanging in the balance, the outcome is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the stakes couldn't be higher for either side.
