Cruz Azul Beats León 2-1, Clinches Liguilla Spot and Pulls Level With América and Chivas

Cruz Azul held on. La Máquina scored twice in the second half and survived a stoppage-time penalty to beat León 2-1 on Sunday night, Nov. 1, closing out Matchday 15 of the Liga MX Apertura 2026 in Mexico City.

The win clinched Cruz Azul a place in the Liguilla playoffs and lifted it to 29 points, level with leaders América and Chivas with two matchdays left, Sports Illustrated México reported.

Final score: Cruz Azul 2, León 1

• Cruz Azul: Andrés Montaño (penalty, early second half), José Paradela (72’)
• León: José Alfonso “Plátano” Alvarado (penalty, 90+10’)

The game was played at the stadium long known as Estadio Azteca, which AS México referred to by its current name, Estadio Banorte.

How Cruz Azul won

A quiet first half. Play was stopped early when Cruz Azul’s Agustín Palavecino slid for the ball and was accidentally caught in the face by the studs of León’s Juan José Guevara, SI México reported. Palavecino continued after treatment. Chances were scarce. León goalkeeper Óscar García made a good save on a long-range shot from Gonzalo Piovi, and the home crowd whistled at times, according to AS México’s live coverage.

Montaño from the spot. León threatened right after the break through Édgar Guerra and Ismael Díaz, but Cruz Azul struck first. Rodrigo Echeverría brought down Carlos “Charly” Rodríguez in the box, and Montaño converted the penalty. AS México said it was his fifth straight match with a goal. SI México put the penalty call at the 51st minute.

A saving tackle, then Paradela. León nearly equalized when substitute Díber Cambindo broke into the box, but a last-ditch tackle denied him. On the next play, Paradela, who had come off the bench, hit a volley that deflected off Guevara and went in for 2-0 in the 72nd minute.

A nervy finish. Cruz Azul missed chances for a third through Carlos Rotondi and Luka Romero. Deep into stoppage time, after a VAR review, León got a penalty for a pull by Amaury García on Alvarado, who scored at 90+10’. León even had a final corner, but coach Joel Huiqui’s side held on. SI México described it as Cruz Azul avoiding a “cruzazuleada,” the fans’ word for the club’s infamous late collapses.

Liga MX standings impact

Cruz Azul (29 points): Still third, level on points with América and Chivas, with its Liguilla ticket secured and still chasing first place, SI México reported. AS México noted that León’s late goal dropped Cruz Azul from second back to third on goal difference. Cruz Azul is the defending champion, having won its 10th league title last tournament, according to AS México.

León (22 points): Seventh, just one point above the cutoff for the qualification places, per SI México. AS México’s live coverage said León went into the game without a win in Mexico City in 18 matches over five years, a streak that continues.

What’s next

Two matchdays remain in the Apertura 2026 regular season. Cruz Azul will chase the top spot, while León needs points to avoid falling out of the playoff places.

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