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Cruz Azul and Chivas draw 2-2 in intense Liga MX 2026 Clausura semifinal first leg at Estadio Cuauhtemoc

Cruz Azul and Chivas drew 2-2 in the first leg of the Liga MX 2026 Clausura semifinals. Check out the highlights and goals here.

Santiago Sandoval of Chivas.
© Rodrigo Oropeza /Getty ImagesSantiago Sandoval of Chivas.

Cruz Azul and Chivas played to an intense 2-2 draw in the first leg of the Liga MX 2026 Clausura semifinals at Estadio Cuauhtemoc. Santiago Sandoval and Angel Sepulveda scored for Chivas, while Bryan Gonzalez and Christian Ebere found the net for Cruz Azul in a match filled with physical battles and constant momentum swings.

The opening half started with both teams creating dangerous chances before Chivas took the lead through Sandoval after a rebound inside the box. Cruz Azul responded quickly thanks to a surprisingly long-range effort from Bryan Gonzalez that caught the goalkeeper off guard. The match then became increasingly physical, with several yellow cards and constant fouls interrupting the rhythm.

In the second half, Chivas regained the advantage after a perfect cross from Miguel Gomez found Angel Sepulveda inside the box. Cruz Azul answered once again after Christian Ebere converted a penalty following a VAR review. Both teams pushed until the final minutes, but neither side managed to find the winning goal, leaving the series wide open heading into the second leg.

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Cruz Azul and Chivas drew 2-2 in the first leg of the Liga MX 2026 Clausura semifinals, and you lived every moment of this exciting match here, on Bolavip.

Thanks for staying with us, see you next time!

90' - Full time at Estadio Cuauhtemoc! (2-2)

The first leg of the Liga MX 2026 Clausura semifinals comes to an end with Cruz Azul and Chivas playing to an intense 2-2 draw. Everything will now be decided in the second leg after a physical and entertaining battle in Puebla.

90+6' - Cruz Azul make three substitutions (2-2)

Cruz Azul make multiple changes as Ariel Castro, Mateo Levy and Ivan Silva come on to replace Amaury Garcia Moreno, Christian Ebere and Agustin Palavecino.

90' - Chivas make another substitution (2-2)

Chivas make a defensive change as Miguel Tapias comes on to replace Richard Ledezma.

87' - Kevin Mier comes up with a big save! (2-2)

Sergio Aguayo fires a dangerous shot from outside the box, but Kevin Mier responds with a strong save and controls the rebound in two attempts.

84' - Yellow cards for Palavecino and Richard Ledezma (2-2)

Agustin Palavecino and Richard Ledezma both receive yellow cards after a heated exchange of words between the two players, with tensions nearly escalating into unsportsmanlike behavior.

81' - Both teams make multiple substitutions (2-2)

Cruz Azul make a change as Andres Montano comes on to replace Jose Paradela. Meanwhile, Chivas make two substitutions with Yael Padilla and Gilberto Sepulveda entering for Santiago Sandoval and Jose Castillo.

78' - Play stopped due to possible injuries (2-2)

The match is temporarily stopped as Jose Paradela and Perez receive medical attention on the field. More substitutions are expected soon as both teams deal with fatigue in this physical battle.

76' - Chivas look comfortable with the rhythm of the match (2-2)

The game continues with a very physical and scrappy rhythm, something that clearly benefits Chivas at this stage of the match. Overall, the draw remains a favorable result for the visitors in this first leg.

70' - Chivas make another substitution (2-2)

Chivas make a change in attack as Sergio Aguayo comes on to replace Ricardo Marin.

69' - Yellow card for Ricardo Marin and Cruz Azul make a change (2-2)

Ricardo Marin receives a yellow card after a foul on Carlos Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Cruz Azul make a substitution as Luka Romero comes on to replace Omar Campos.

67' - Yellow card for Omar Campos (2-2)

Omar Campos receives a yellow card after bringing down Santiago Sandoval during a physical challenge in midfield to cut off a counterattack.

65' - The match becomes increasingly scrappy (2-2)

The game is now filled with inaccuracies whenever both teams try to build attacking plays. Fatigue is beginning to show. After the penalty sequence, the match becomes very physical and constantly interrupted with little flow on the field.

59' - Rotondi wastes a counterattacking chance! (2-2)

Carlos Rodolfo Rotondi tries his luck with a left-footed strike from long distance on the left side during a counterattack, but the effort goes well off target from an uncomfortable angle.

56' - GOOOOOOOAL FOR CRUZ AZUL!! (2-2)

Christian Ebere steps up to the spot and converts the penalty with a brilliant strike into the top corner, leveling the match once again for Cruz Azul.

53' - Penalty for Cruz Azul! (1-2)

The referee awards a penalty to Cruz Azul after a foul on Christian Ebere inside the box. The play is reviewed by VAR before the decision is confirmed.

49' - GOOOOOOOOAL FOR CHIVAS!! (1-2)

Chivas regain the lead after a brilliant team play built from the back. Miguel Gomez delivers a perfect cross into the box and Angel Sepulveda rises to connect a powerful header into the net.

46' - Chivas make a change to start the second half (1-1)

Chivas make their first substitution of the night as Miguel Gomez comes on to replace Efrain Alvarez at the start of the second half.

45' - Second half is underway! (1-1)

The referee blows the whistle and the second half between Cruz Azul and Chivas is now underway at Estadio Cuauhtemoc.

45' - Halftime at Estadio Cuauhtemoc! (1-1)

The first half comes to an end after an intense and physical opening 45 minutes.

45' - Four minutes added to the first half (1-1)

The referee signals four minutes of stoppage time before halftime in this intense semifinal clash between Cruz Azul and Chivas.

45' - Cruz Azul waste a dangerous chance! (1-1)

Jose Paradela finds Christian Ebere with space inside the box and in front of goal, but the forward is ruled offside. It ends up not mattering much for Cruz Azul, as Ebere’s finish is very poor.

41' - The match becomes increasingly physical (1-1)

The game is turning into an end-to-end battle with plenty of physical contact in every duel for the ball. The referee has been very permissive so far, something that could eventually create problems as tensions continue to rise on the pitch.

37' - GOOOOOOAL FOR CRUZ AZUL!! (1-1)

What a goal from Carlos Rodriguez! The Cruz Azul player sends in what many believe is a cross from the right flank, but the ball turns into a looping shot that catches the goalkeeper off guard and ends up finding the back of the net.

34' - Chivas keep pushing after the opening goal (0-1)

Chivas are playing with great confidence after taking the lead and continue putting Cruz Azul under pressure. It is clearly their best moment of the match as they look to extend the advantage, especially after the defensive mistakes that led to the opening goal.

29' - GOOOOOOOAAAAL FOR CHIVAS!! (0-1)

Chivas take the lead after a brilliant team play between Richard Ledezma and Santiago Sandoval, who lays it off first touch to Angel Sepulveda. The forward fires a powerful shot that Kevin Mier saves, but Sandoval reacts quickly to the rebound and finishes it into the back of the net.

27' - Santiago Sandoval tries from distance (0-0)

Santiago Sandoval unleashes a powerful strike from outside the box, but the effort lacks direction and Kevin Mier makes an easy save.

21' - The match slows down after an intense start (0-0)

After the opening 10 minutes filled with intensity and attacking intentions from both sides, the game becomes more physical in midfield as Cruz Azul and Chivas battle for possession and space going forward.

17' - Yellow card for Christian Ebere (0-0)

Christian Ebere receives a booking after a hard foul on Diego Campillo during a contested play in midfield.

11' - Yellow card for Angel Sepulveda (0-0)

Angel Sepulveda goes into the referee’s book after a hard challenge on Willer Ditta in midfield.

8' - Chivas respond with a dangerous chance (0-0)

Chivas attack down the left side as Efrain Alvarez sends a cross toward the far post, Kevin Mier punches it away, and the ball falls to Richard Ledezma, whose powerful strike goes just over the crossbar.

5' - Another warning from Cruz Azul (0-0)

Rotondi delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but Christian Ebere’s header went well wide of the target.

2' - Cruz Azul create the first chance of the match! (0-0)

Jose Paradela makes a great run behind Gonzalez, cuts inside, and fires an effort toward goal, but Diego Campillo is perfectly positioned to clear the danger away.

0' - Game is underway! (0-0)

The referee blows the whistle, and the Liga MX Clausura 2026 semifinal first leg between Cruz Azul and Chivas is officially underway at Estadio Cuauhtemoc.

Tonight's referee

Liga MX confirmed Maximiliano Quintero as the main referee for tonight’s Clausura 2026 semifinal first leg between Cruz Azul and Chivas.

Cruz Azul starting XI

Cruz Azul will line up as follows for tonight’s semifinal clash against Chivas: Kevin Mier; Angel Marquez, Willer Ditta, Amaury Garcia Moreno, Gonzalo Piovi, Omar Campos; Jose Paradela, Agustin Palavecino, Carlos Rodriguez, Carlos Rodolfo Rotondi; Christian Ebere.

Chivas confirmed lineup

Chivas will line up as follows:

Oscar Whalley; Jose Castillo, Diego Campillo, Bryan Gonzales; Richard Ledezma, Santiago Sandoval, Fernando Gonzalez, Omar Govea, Efrain Alvarez; Ricardo Marin, Angel Sepulveda.

Today's venue

Estadio Cuauhtemoc, located in Puebla City, Mexico, will host tonight’s semifinal clash between Cruz Azul and Chivas. The stadium is home to Club Puebla and has a capacity of 51,726, making it the fourth-largest soccer stadium in Mexico. It also hosted matches during the 1970 and 1986 FIFA World Cups.

H2H in Liga MX playoffs

The playoff history between Cruz Azul and Chivas has been evenly matched, with two series wins for each side. Guadalajara advanced in the Clausura 2003 play-in round and the Apertura 2006 quarterfinals, while Cruz Azul won the Verano 1999 and Apertura 2025 quarterfinals series.

Start time and how to watch

Cruz Azul vs Chivas will get underway at 10:00 PM ET (PT: 7:00 PM)

Watch this Liga MX 2026 Clausura semifinal first leg match between Cruz Azul and Chivas live in the USA on DirecTV Stream and TUDN.

Cruz Azul and Chivas clash in Liga MX Clausura 2026 semifinals

Welcome to our live blog of the Liga MX Clausura 2026 semifinals first leg!

Cruz Azul face Chivas in a highly anticipated series just months after their dramatic quarterfinals meeting.

Stay with us for key updates, important moments, and minute-by-minute coverage of tonight’s clash.

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