Cruz Azul, fourth time lucky

Although Cruz Azul had strong performances in several tournaments, it was never quite enough to claim the championship. The most telling example came in the last three tournaments, where they were eliminated by América in two consecutive semifinals.

La Máquina Cementera battled fiercely in the Clásico Joven against one of its toughest rivals. However, on both occasions, it was the Coapa side that emerged victorious, leaving Cruz Azul just short of that final push.

Before those eliminations, Cruz Azul had reached another Liga MX final, with a golden opportunity to add another title to their history. But once again, América stood in their way, defeating them 2-1 in the series—a loss that marked the beginning of what has become a fierce rivalry with Las Águilas.

Now, the landscape looks very different. América narrowly missed out on a place in the Club World Cup after falling to LAFC in the decisive playoff, marking their third failure in under six months.

Cruz Azul, on the other hand, finally got the monkey off their back by winning an international title—defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Concacaf Champions Cup Final. That victory keeps their hopes alive for a place in the next edition of the Club World Cup.

Related stories

NFL

Digging into the truth behind Tyreek Hill’s Dolphins future

NBA

Bullish Brunson makes feelings clear after Knicks knockout

La Máquina will now have time to savor this triumph, as the next major competition is the Continental Cup—an event where the champions of each FIFA confederation face off in a tournament modeled after the old Club World Cup format.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.