Cruz Azul's impressive performance not only secured them a commanding 5-0 victory against Real Hope but also solidified their advancement to the knockout stage of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup with a substantial 7-0 aggregate score. The dominant display brought to the forefront the skill and coordination of the squad under the guidance of their management.
From the onset, Cruz Azul set the tone for the match, aiming to impose their will on the Haitian side. Within the first few minutes, Ángel Sepúlveda attempted to flick the ball past Real Hope’s defense, but his effort was thwarted. Gonzalo Piovi also tested their goalkeeper, Gooly Elien, with a well-placed shot. Conversely, Real Hope sought to capitalize on any openings, with Stanley Joseph's strike being blocked by the Cruz Azul defense.
The breakthrough for Cruz Azul came at the 20-minute mark, initiated by Mateusz Bogusz, who delivered a clever cross from the right. Sepúlveda met the ball with his head, converting the effort and marking the score at 1-0. Four minutes later, Sepúlveda doubled the lead after collecting a loose ball and finding the net after rebounding off the defense, effectively demoralizing the real hope.
Continuing to build on their momentum, Cruz Azul struck again at the 26-minute mark. Gabriel Fernández extended the lead with a stunning long-range shot from outside the box, placing the ball perfectly past Elien to make it 3-0. The attacking prowess of Cruz Azul was becoming increasingly evident, leaving Real Hope scrambling.
Despite Cruz Azul’s dominance, moments of hope arose for Real Hope, especially when they were awarded a penalty. Angelo Exilus stepped up to take the shot, but his attempt was thwarted as goalkeeper Andrés Gudiño leapt to his left to block the effort, keeping the scoreline intact and preserving Cruz Azul's clean sheet.
The second half saw no shift in the game's dynamic. Right from the 60th minute, Andrés Montaño fired off a powerful shot from distance, driving the score to 4-0, adding to the pressure mounting on Real Hope. A few minutes later, Watz Leazard managed to slip past the Cruz Azul defense, but once again, Gudiño was equal to the task and saved the shot.
Finally, as the match approached its conclusion, Fernández capped off his formidable performance by netting his second goal after artistically eluding the last defender and placing the ball skillfully past the advancing goalkeeper. The referee's whistle confirmed the final score of 5-0, underscoring the Brazilian's influence on the match.
With the 7-0 aggregate victory, Cruz Azul is set to advance to the next stage of the Concacaf Champions Cup. They await to find out their next opponent, which will come from the upcoming match between Seattle Sounders and Antigua FC, presenting greater challenges than those faced against Real Hope. The team, buoyed by their recent success, looks forward to the tough competition as they strive for glory and aim for impactful performances in the eliminatory rounds.
Meanwhile, fellow Mexican side Monterrey also showcased their strength, defeating Forge FC with similar ease to secure their progression to the next round, underlining the dominance of Mexican teams within the tournament. With Cruz Azul and Monterrey both showcasing their prowess, Mexican football continues to assert its strength on the continental stage.