Cruz Azul battled back from the brink of elimination to reach the Liga MX final, where they will face Club América.
Cruz Azul's journey to the Liga MX final has been a rollercoaster of emotions. After a dominant regular season, the team found themselves on the verge of collapse in the semifinals against Monterrey. Having lost the first leg 2-0, Cruz Azul knew they needed a herculean effort in the second leg to advance.
The Celeste faithful witnessed a tale of two halves at the iconic Estadio Azteca. Cruz Azul started the match with blistering pace, scoring twice in the opening 15 minutes through Uriel Antuna and Carlos Rodríguez. The Azteca erupted in thunderous applause, with the fans sensing a comeback was on the cards.
However, Monterrey refused to bow down. They pulled one goal back before halftime through Germán Berterame, and the tide began to turn. The second half was a nerve-wracking affair, as Cruz Azul struggled to maintain their lead.
With time running out, Monterrey piled on the pressure. Substitute Luis Romo looked to have equalized for the visitors in the dying minutes, but his goal was ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR review. The Azteca erupted once more, as Cruz Azul held on for a 2-1 aggregate victory.
The triumph was a testament to the resilience and determination of Juan Reynoso's men. Despite losing their star striker Santiago Giménez to injury, Cruz Azul showed their fighting spirit to overcome adversity.
The final will be a clash of titans, as Cruz Azul face arch-rivals Club América. The two sides have a storied history, and the final is sure to be a fiery affair.
Cruz Azul will be aiming to break their infamous "cruzazuleada" curse, which has seen them lose several finals in heartbreaking fashion. Their last Liga MX title came in 1997, and they will be desperate to end the drought.
Club América, on the other hand, are seeking their 14th league title. They have been in impressive form this season, and will be confident of their chances of overcoming Cruz Azul.
The Liga MX final is set to take place over two legs, with the first leg at the Estadio Azteca on Thursday, May 26th. The second leg will be played at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday, May 29th.
