Chivas and Cruz Azul End 0-0 in Thrilling Liguilla Draw at Estadio Akron

The Liga MX playoffs delivered another classic on November 28, 2025, when Club Deportivo Guadalajara and Club de Fútbol Cruz Azul S.A. de C.V. played out a tense, goalless draw at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Jalisco. The match, which kicked off at 8:07 p.m. local time and 02:07 UTC on November 29, ended 0-0 — a result that leaves the Apertura 2025 Liguilla quarterfinal wide open heading into the second leg. For fans of Mexican football, this wasn’t just another stalemate. It was a battle between two giants who’ve spent decades defining the soul of Liga MX — and neither side blinked.

Two Giants, One Stalemate

Chivas, known as Rebaño Sagrado, entered the playoffs on a hot streak. After finishing sixth in the regular season with 29 points from 17 matches (9 wins, 2 draws, 6 losses), they’d won seven of their last eight league games. Their final regular-season match — a 4-2 demolition of CF Monterrey — featured goals from Efrain Alvarez, Armando Gonzalez, Roberto Alvarado, and the ever-reliable Javier "Chicharito" Hernández. The team’s momentum was undeniable. Fans in Guadalajara were already dreaming of a title run.

Cruz Azul, meanwhile, came in with less fanfare but equal grit. The Mexico City-based club had already beaten Chivas 2-1 back in August at the same stadium, thanks to goals from Jose Paradela and Carlos Rodolfo Rotondi. That result gave them psychological edge — but form tells a different story. Both teams were described by Viva Liga MX as "in great form," with this matchup labeled "arguably the closest in the Apertura 2025 Liguilla." The game itself was a chess match. Chivas controlled possession early, pressing high with intensity. But Cruz Azul’s defense — anchored by veteran center-backs and a disciplined midfield — refused to crack. The visitors soaked up pressure and hit on the counter, nearly breaking through in the 63rd minute when midfielder Yasser Corona fired just wide after a slick one-two. Chivas had their chances too: a header from substitute Alan Pulido in the 78th minute was saved brilliantly by Cruz Azul goalkeeper Andrés Ponce. No goals. No drama. Just pure tension.

Home Advantage? Not This Time

Estadio Akron, with its 49,000-seat roar, was supposed to be Chivas’ fortress. And for much of the match, it was. The crowd chanted from the first whistle — "¡Vamos Chivas!" — waving flags and drumming in unison. But Cruz Azul didn’t play like visitors. They played like champions on the road. Their midfield trio of Juan Escobar, Jair Pereira, and Jonathan Rodríguez disrupted Chivas’ rhythm, forcing 14 turnovers and limiting the hosts to just three shots on target.

"They didn’t need to score to win tonight," said former Chivas captain Jorge Hernández during a post-match analysis on Televisa Deportes. "They neutralized us. That’s a sign of a team that knows how to win when it matters. This draw? It’s a gift to them." The irony? Chivas had won seven of their last eight matches. Cruz Azul had won just three of their last eight. Yet the team with less momentum walked away with the better result. That’s playoff football.

The Second Leg: A Pressure Cooker in Mexico City

Now, the stage shifts to Estadio Azteca on December 5, 2025. With no away goals rule in effect for the 2025 Liguilla (Liga MX abolished it in 2023), the second leg will be decided purely on aggregate. A 0-0 draw again means penalties. A 1-0 win for Cruz Azul sends them through. A 2-0 win for Chivas? They advance. But if Chivas scores first in Mexico City, the pressure flips entirely.

Cruz Azul’s home record at Estadio Azteca this season? Seven wins, one draw, one loss. They’ve only been shut out once all season — and that was against Tigres UANL in August. Chivas, meanwhile, have been shut out in four of their last 12 away matches. The odds aren’t in their favor.

"Chivas need to be brave," said analyst María González from ESPN Deportes. "They can’t sit back. If they play defensively in Mexico City, Cruz Azul will eat them alive. They need to go for it — even if it means leaving gaps. This is the kind of match that makes legends."

What’s at Stake Beyond the Semifinals

This isn’t just about who advances. It’s about legacy. Chivas, with 12 Liga MX titles, are Mexico’s most popular club — but they haven’t won a title since 2006. Cruz Azul, with nine titles, haven’t lifted the trophy since 2013. Both clubs are desperate to end their droughts. For younger fans, this could be their first taste of real glory. For older ones, it’s a chance to relive the glory days.

The broadcast battle was also notable. In Mexico, Amazon Prime Video held exclusive rights — a sign of how streaming is reshaping Mexican football. In the U.S., the match aired on UNIVERSO and Peacock, drawing over 1.2 million Spanish-language viewers — the highest for a Liga MX playoff game since 2022, according to Nielsen.

What’s Next?

The second leg on December 5 will be one of the most-watched matches in Liga MX history. With both teams evenly matched and the stakes sky-high, expect a physical, emotional, and tactical masterpiece. Coaches will make bold substitutions. Fans will stay up until 3 a.m. in New York and 5 a.m. in Los Angeles. And somewhere in Mexico City, a 12-year-old will be watching for the first time — and falling in love with the game.