The Liga MX quarterfinals kicked off with a thrilling encounter between León and Cruz Azul on May 8, 2025, at the Nou Camp. The match saw Cruz Azul emerge victorious with a score of 3-2, placing them in a strong position as they head into the second leg of the series. This victory marked a crucial moment for La Máquina, who are now one step closer to securing a semifinal spot in the Liguilla.
Cruz Azul, riding high on their recent form, came into this match as the favorites against a León side that has struggled in recent weeks. The Fiera had entered the playoffs on a low note, having lost five of their last seven Liga MX matches, and without their star player James Rodríguez, their chances were further diminished. In contrast, Cruz Azul had momentum on their side, having played two matches in the Concachampions leading up to this quarterfinal clash.
The match began with León applying pressure, hoping to capitalize on their home advantage. Early on, they nearly found the back of the net when Kevin Mier, Cruz Azul's goalkeeper, almost conceded a goal after misplaying a ball. However, it was Cruz Azul who struck first. In the 15th minute, Nacho Rivero opened the scoring after a defensive mishap from León, putting the visitors ahead 1-0.
Just four minutes later, Andrés Montaño doubled Cruz Azul's lead with a shot that was deflected into the net by León's defense, making it 2-0. The Fiera responded with a goal of their own in the 30th minute, as Sebastián Santos capitalized on a defensive error to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Despite the setback, Cruz Azul quickly regained control of the match. In the 41st minute, Montaño struck again, scoring his second goal of the night and extending Cruz Azul's lead to 3-1 before halftime. León, however, wasn't done yet. They came out strong in the second half, and in the 46th minute, Iván Moreno scored, bringing the score to 3-2.
As the match progressed, the dynamics shifted dramatically when León's Adonis Frías received a red card in the 51st minute for a foul on Ángel Sepúlveda, leaving León with just ten men for the remainder of the match. This crucial moment allowed Cruz Azul to dominate possession, but they struggled to capitalize on their numerical advantage, missing several key opportunities to extend their lead.
León, now on the defensive, focused on counterattacks, utilizing the speed of their forwards. In the 63rd minute, Andrés Guardado came close to leveling the score with a volley that was saved by Mier, who had earlier redeemed himself after his initial mistake. Throughout the match, Mier made several critical saves that kept Cruz Azul in the lead.
As the game entered its final moments, León continued to press for an equalizer. In the 84th minute, Giorgios Giakoumakis squandered a chance that could have tied the game, and in the 94th minute, Guardado took a dangerous free kick that was comfortably caught by Mier. The tension in the stadium was palpable as the match approached its conclusion.
Ultimately, Cruz Azul held on to their narrow lead, winning 3-2 and taking a significant advantage into the second leg of the quarterfinals. The victory not only boosts their confidence but also places them in a favorable position as they aim for a semifinal berth in the Clausura 2025 playoffs. With the return leg set to take place soon, both teams will be looking to make adjustments, but Cruz Azul will undoubtedly carry the momentum from this hard-fought victory.
As the dust settles on this thrilling encounter, the spotlight now shifts to the return leg, where León will seek redemption and Cruz Azul will aim to secure their place in the semifinals. The stakes have never been higher, and fans can expect another electrifying match as these two teams continue their battle for glory in the Liga MX.
