Cruz Azul faced a disappointing defeat in the first leg of the quarterfinals against Tijuana, losing 3-0 at Estadio Caliente. Despite their impressive performance throughout the Apertura 2024 season, where they set a points record, the team struggled significantly against Xolos. The match was filled with errors that compromised their chances of advancing to the semifinals, highlighted by goals from Raúl Zúñiga, Efraín Álvarez, and Emanuel Reynoso, alongside the expulsion of Jorge Sánchez.
The match started with Cruz Azul showing promise, actively moving the ball and applying pressure. However, the tone changed drastically by the 10th minute when a long pass caught the defense off-guard, leading to Zúñiga’s opening goal. Shortly after, Álvarez capitalized on a defensive mistake, doubling Tijuana’s lead and leaving Cruz Azul in a precarious position.
With their momentum shattered, Cruz Azul further faltered when Sanchez was sent off in the 34th minute for a foul on Zúñiga. Tijuana quickly took advantage of their numerical superiority, scoring their third goal shortly after the expulsion. Faced with a daunting deficit, Cruz Azul adopted a more defensive approach in the second half, aiming to prevent additional goals rather than pursuing their own.
Next week, Cruz Azul will have the challenge of turning things around in the second leg at their home ground, needing a remarkable performance to advance in the playoffs.
This defeat serves as a wake-up call, presenting an opportunity for Cruz Azul to regroup and strategize effectively for the upcoming match. With their season’s stakes on the line, the team has the potential to bounce back and showcase their true capabilities in front of their home crowd.