Cruz Azul beats América and reaches the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup

Cruz Azul advanced to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup-2025 after beating America 2-1 in a pulsating quarterfinal second leg between Mexican clubs at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario in Mexico City on Tuesday.

With two goals from Ángel Sepúlveda, La Máquina won this game and also the playoffs with a 2-1 aggregate score.

The Águilas of América generated the first opportunity at minute 3 with a shot by Alejandro Zendejas that Colombian goalkeeper Kevin Mier controlled.

After that, Cruz Azul went on the attack and responded with a shot by Erik Lira that was resolved by goalkeeper Ángel Malagón.

The opening goal for the Celeste side came in the 12th minute, starting with a long clearance from Mier. Polish midfielder Matusz Bogusz won the ball on the edge of the final third and laid it off for Sepúlveda, who struck a low, left-footed shot across goal to net his first goal from inside the box.

Cruz Azul pressed relentlessly for a second goal but were continually denied by goalkeeper Malagón, who first saved a header from Uruguayan Ignacio Rivero in the 30th minute, and just three minutes later, blocked a long-range effort from Bogusz.

In the second half, Malagón continued to save the Águilas. In the 52nd minute, he saved a shot by Carlos Rodríguez.

América shook off the Celeste's dominance at 57 when Kevin Álvarez set up Spaniard Álvaro Fidalgo in the box; with a serene touch, the Maguito placed the ball in the lower left corner to level at 1-1.

Gabriel Fernández crowned the victory

Forced to look for the win, Cruz Azul had its next shot on goal at 81, and it was a shot by Uruguayan Gabriel Fernández that Malagón again denied.

In the 85th minute, Rivero appeared on the right flank of the American area and with the ball almost on the touch line, delivered a perfect cross that Sepúlveda met with a powerful header, making it 2-1 and sending Cruz Azul through to the semifinals.