It was supposed to be fireworks. Instead, it was frustration. On Thursday, November 27, 2025, Club Deportivo Guadalajara and Club Cruz Azul played out a goalless 0-0 draw in the first leg of the Apertura 2025 quarterfinalsEstadio Akron—a match that lived up to its billing as a rivalry clash, but not in the way fans hoped. With 94 minutes played and zero goals on the board, the tension wasn’t in the scoring—it was in the missed chances, the tactical tug-of-war, and the growing sense that neither team wanted to lose more than they wanted to win.
The Tactical Battle: Milito vs. Larcamón
At the heart of the stalemate was a clash of philosophies. Gabriel Milito, Chivas’ head coach, sent his team out with a high-pressing, compact shape designed to suffocate Cruz Azul’s build-up. OneFootball noted Chivas “took control of the game with quick combinations from the first third,” and the strategy nearly paid off in the opening minutes. By the 3rd minute, Chivas had already threatened, and by the 17th, they had two clear looks—only to be denied by Cruz Azul’s defense and the brilliance of their substitute goalkeeper, Andrés Gudiño.
Meanwhile, Nicolás Larcamón, the Argentine tactician guiding Cruz Azul, opted for possession over panic. With key absences—Kevin Mier out for the tournament due to injury, Andrés Montaño sidelined, and Lorenzo Faravelli suspended—Larcamón leaned on Teun Wilke and Érick Gutiérrez to control the tempo. Cruz Azul dominated the first half, holding 62% possession according to post-match stats, but their final third execution was painfully sloppy. A 15th-minute chance from Gilberto Sepúlveda was blocked by Raúl 'Tala' Rangel, and by halftime, the sky-blue side had created five clear opportunities and scored zero.
The Unsung Hero: Tala Rangel’s Night
When the dust settled, the real story wasn’t the tactics—it was the man between the posts. Raúl 'Tala' Rangel, Chivas’ 32-year-old goalkeeper, was nothing short of spectacular. SoyFutbol called him “the star,” and rightly so. He made five decisive saves, including a fingertip stop on a 61st-minute volley from Nacho Rivero that looked destined for the top corner. His composure under pressure, especially during Cruz Azul’s relentless first-half barrage, kept Chivas alive.
“We knew they’d come hard,” Rangel told CHIVASTV after the match. “We didn’t need to score tonight. We needed to stay intact. And we did.” His performance wasn’t just about reflexes—it was about positioning, communication, and mental toughness. In a game where both teams missed clear chances, Rangel’s saves were the difference between a win and a draw… and possibly the difference between advancing and going home.
Missed Chances and Mounting Pressure
The second half offered more hope than quality. Chivas, energized by the home crowd, pushed forward more aggressively. By the 75th minute, they had 11 shots to Cruz Azul’s four. But conversion? Nonexistent. A 90'+1 header from Miguel Gómez, assisted by Daniel Aguirre, drifted wide from six yards out. It was the last, best chance of the night.
“We had the game,” said Chivas midfielder Efrain Álvarez in a post-match interview. “We had the chances. We just didn’t finish. That’s on us.”
Cruz Azul’s frustration was equally palpable. Larcamón’s substitutions—bringing on Óscar Whalley and Hugo Camberos—were reactive, not inspired. The team looked tired, disjointed, and increasingly desperate. The yellow cards for Antonio Govea and Teun Wilke in the 66th and 69th minutes weren’t just disciplinary—they were signs of unraveling.
The Road to Mexico City
The second leg, set for Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM Central Mexico Time at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City, will be a different beast entirely. No home crowd for Chivas. No neutral ground. Just pressure, history, and a single goal that could send one team to the semifinals—and bury the other.
Chivas, who finished the regular season with one of the strongest late-season runs, will need to be more aggressive. OneFootball reported that Milito’s team plans to “go all out” in the return leg. But that’s easier said than done. Cruz Azul, despite their poor finishing, remain the heavier favorites. They’ve won four of their last five away games. And they’ve never lost a knockout tie to Chivas in Mexico City since 2018.
Why This Matters Beyond the Scoreline
This draw isn’t just about who advances. It’s about legacy. Chivas, the people’s team, haven’t reached the Liga MX final since 2017. Cruz Azul, once a powerhouse, haven’t won a title since 2021. Both clubs carry generations of expectation. The Estadio Akron, set to host World Cup games in 2026, was packed with rojiblanco and celeste flags—not just fans, but families, lifelong supporters who’ve waited years for this moment.
And yet, the most telling statistic? Zero goals. Zero clean sheets. Zero clarity. It’s a reminder that in football, sometimes the most dangerous team is the one that refuses to lose.
What’s Next?
With the second leg looming, every detail matters. Will Kevin Mier return from injury? Unlikely—he’s ruled out for the rest of the tournament. Will Larcamón stick with Gudiño? Probably. Will Chivas bring more firepower? They’ve got Santiago Sandoval and Armando González on the wings—but they need a striker who can finish.
One thing’s certain: this isn’t over. Not even close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the match called 'dull' despite being a rivalry game?
Though Chivas and Cruz Azul have one of Mexico’s fiercest rivalries, the match lacked clinical finishing. Both teams created over 15 clear chances but converted none. Cruz Azul dominated possession but failed to penetrate, while Chivas pressed hard but lacked a decisive striker. The result was a tense, physical game with few moments of true quality—hence the 'dull' label from analysts despite the high stakes.
How did Kevin Mier’s absence impact Cruz Azul?
Mier, Cruz Azul’s starting goalkeeper and a key presence, was ruled out for the rest of the tournament due to injury. His replacement, Andrés Gudiño, made solid saves but lacked Mier’s commanding presence and distribution. The defense appeared less confident, especially under pressure, and Gudiño’s limited experience in high-stakes games added to the team’s unease in crucial moments.
What’s the historical advantage between Chivas and Cruz Azul in knockout matches?
Cruz Azul holds a psychological edge in knockout games at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, having won their last five playoff meetings there since 2018. Chivas, meanwhile, have not advanced past the quarterfinals in Liga MX since 2017. The second leg, therefore, isn’t just about goals—it’s about breaking a decade-long trend of underperformance on the road.
Could the 0-0 draw be considered a win for Chivas?
In many ways, yes. Chivas entered as underdogs, playing at home against a team with stronger form and deeper squad depth. Holding Cruz Azul to zero goals at Estadio Akron—especially with the pressure of a packed crowd and high expectations—is a tactical victory. If they can score just once in Mexico City, they’ll advance. The draw gives them a lifeline, not a setback.
What’s at stake for the winner of this series?
The winner advances to the Liga MX Apertura 2025 semifinals, where they’ll face either Tigres UANL or América. Beyond the trophy race, the winner gains crucial momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. For Chivas, it’s a chance to end their seven-year final drought. For Cruz Azul, it’s a step toward reclaiming their status as Mexico’s most decorated club.
When is the second leg, and where will it be played?
The second leg takes place on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 7:00 PM Central Mexico Time at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City. The venue, home to UNAM’s Pumas, has hosted countless high-stakes matches and will be filled with neutral fans—and a heavy dose of Cruz Azul support.