Chivas and Cruz Azul arrive at the Liga MX Clausura 2026 semifinals carrying the weight of expectation, history and a place in the final suddenly within reach. Both teams now stand only two games away from the Clausura title.
The first leg, scheduled for Wednesday night at Estadio Banorte, will begin at 10 PM ET / 7 PM PT in the United States and opens a series between two of the biggest clubs in Mexican soccer.
The structure of the Liga MX semifinals adds even more pressure to every result in the opening leg. Unlike a single-elimination match, the series will be decided across two games, with aggregate score determining who advances to the final.
What happens if Chivas beat Cruz Azul today?
If Chivas beat Cruz Azul today, Guadalajara will take a first-leg advantage into the second match of the Liga MX Clausura 2026 semifinals and move one step closer to the final. Since this is a two-leg semifinal series, a victory would put them in control before the return game.
Santiago Sandoval of Chivas celebrates with teammates at the Torneo Clausura 2026 Liga MX (Source: Simon Barber/Getty Images)
Chivas finished the regular season as one of the top teams in Liga MX, ending with 36 points and securing one of the highest seeds. That strong regular-season performance is especially important because Liga MX uses seeding as the tiebreaker if the aggregate score is level after both semifinal matches.
For Gabriel Milito’s squad, beating Cruz Azul would significantly increase the club’s chances of reaching its first Liga MX final since the Clausura 2023 tournament. Chivas are also chasing what would be their first league title since the Clausura 2017 season.
What happens if Chivas and Cruz Azul tie today?
If Chivas and Cruz Azul tie today, the semifinal would remain completely open heading into the second leg. Because Liga MX semifinals are decided by aggregate score over two matches, any draw in the first game would leave qualification to the final unresolved.
A 0-0 draw would likely favor Chivas slightly because Guadalajara finished above Cruz Azul in the regular-season standings. Under Liga MX rules, if the aggregate score is tied after both legs, the higher-seeded team advances automatically. Chivas ended the Clausura with 36 points, while Cruz Azul finished with 33.
However, a scoring draw such as 1-1 or 2-2 would give Cruz Azul confidence heading into the return match, especially considering La Maquina have been one of the strongest attacking teams remaining in the playoffs.
What happens if Chivas lose to Cruz Azul today?
If Chivas lose to Cruz Azul today, Guadalajara would need a comeback in the second leg to avoid elimination. A first-leg defeat would hand momentum and the aggregate advantage to La Maquina before the decisive match.
Cruz Azul arrive in strong form after eliminating Atlas in the quarterfinals with a 4-2 aggregate victory. The club has responded well under interim coach Joel Huiqui, who took over late in the season and immediately stabilized the team entering the playoffs.
