Cruz Azul and Toluca Face Uphill Battle After First Leg Defeats
In a surprising turn of events during the quarterfinals of the Apertura 2024 tournament, both Cruz Azul and Toluca suffered defeats at the hands of their opponents, Tijuana and América respectively. Cruz Azul, initially a firm favorite, fell 3-0 to Tijuana, while Toluca lost 2-0 to América, placing them in a challenging position as they head into the second leg.
Cruz Azul’s first leg struggle was marked by defensive errors in the first half, which led to the significant loss against Tijuana. Compounding their troubles, defender Jorge Sánchez was sent off after fouling Raúl Zúñiga, leaving the team to navigate a tough second half. Fortunately, a more conservative strategy helped them withstand further attacks, as they prepare for a decisive match this Saturday at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes.
With their top ranking in the overall standings, Cruz Azul requires at least three goals in the return match to advance, while also needing to keep a clean sheet. Alternatively, a draw with any scoreline would suffice, as their higher placement over the regular season serves as the tiebreaker.
It’s worth noting that Tijuana made it to the Liguilla via the Play In route, having previously fallen to América but rebounding to defeat Atlas and seize the eighth position.
As the teams gear up for the second leg, fans will be keeping a close watch, hopeful that Cruz Azul can turn the tide and Toluca can regroup to create a thrilling comeback. This season has shown that in sports, anything is possible, and both teams still have the opportunity to rewrite their seasons in the upcoming matches.