Cruz Azul secured a vital 2-1 victory against León in Jornada 16 of the Liga MX Clausura 2025 at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario on April 15, 2025. The match was filled with excitement, featuring a dramatic second half where both teams showcased their attacking prowess.
The first half concluded without any goals, as both teams struggled to convert their chances. Cruz Azul's Carlos Rotondi, Ángel Sepúlveda, and Ignacio Rivero all attempted to break the deadlock with shots from outside the box and crosses into the area. Meanwhile, León responded with efforts from Steven Mendoza, Salvador Reyes, and the star player James Rodríguez, but neither side could find the net, leaving the halftime score at 0-0.
As the second half began, the pace quickened significantly. León took the lead in the 58th minute when Steven Mendoza finished a well-crafted move, assisted by José David Ramírez. Mendoza's left-footed shot from the edge of the area beat Cruz Azul’s goalkeeper Andrés Gudiño, who had stepped in for Kevin Mier due to illness.
Trailing 1-0, Cruz Azul made several offensive substitutions, bringing in Gabriel Fernández, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Amaury Morales, and Luka Romero. Their efforts paid off in the 84th minute when Luka Romero equalized with a powerful header from Ignacio Rivero's cross, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
In a dramatic twist, León faced a setback when Nicolás Fonseca was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, reducing them to ten men. As the match entered stoppage time, Cruz Azul continued to apply pressure. In the 90+3 minute, Amaury Morales played a crucial pass into the box, allowing Gabriel Fernández to score the winning goal from close range, sealing a thrilling comeback for Cruz Azul.
The match concluded in the 90+8 minute, with Cruz Azul celebrating a hard-fought victory that propelled them into second place in the league standings with 32 points. León, on the other hand, dropped to fifth place, now sitting at 30 points as they look to regroup for their upcoming matches.
Following the match, Cruz Azul's coach Vicente Sánchez expressed pride in his team's resilience and ability to come back from behind. "We showed great character today. The substitutions made a huge impact, and I'm proud of how the team responded under pressure," Sánchez said.
León's coach Eduardo Berizzo reflected on the match, stating, "We started strong, but we couldn't maintain our composure in the second half. The red card changed the dynamics of the game, and we paid the price for it. We need to learn from this experience and move forward."
The match was an important one for both teams, as Cruz Azul aimed to secure a direct spot in the playoffs while León sought to keep pace with the top teams in the league. The thrilling nature of the game, coupled with key performances from players like Mendoza, Romero, and Fernández, highlighted the competitive spirit of the Liga MX.
Next up, Cruz Azul will face Toluca FC in their following fixture, while León will host CF Monterrey as they look to bounce back from this defeat. Both teams will be eager to secure points as the season approaches its critical final stages.
