Cruz Azul says goodbye to the Concacaf Champions League

The international dream of Blue Cross It came to an end in the most bitter way. The Machine could not get past the 1-1 draw against Los Angeles FC and was eliminated from the Concacaf Champions League, in a result that leaves a taste of frustration among players, coaching staff and fans.

The cement team came into the match with the obligation to impose conditions and seek classification, but they found themselves against an organized, intense rival who knew how to play with the desperation of the Mexican team.

Los Angeles FCof the American MLS, tied this Tuesday 1-1 with the Mexican Cruz Azul to become the first semifinalist of the Concacaf Champions Cup, winning the series by a 4-1 margin.

The Uruguayan Gabriel Fernandez He scored for the Blues, who dominated the match, but lacked forcefulness and lost the title they won in 2025, guided by Uruguayan coach Vicente Sánchez. The Gabonese Denis Bouanga discounted by the Americans.

After being beaten 0-3 last Tuesday in the first leg, the Blues of Argentine strategist Nicolás Larcamón began with advanced lines, although, unfocused, they received four warnings in the first 13 minutes.

After a foul in the area by the Spanish Sergi Palencia, in the 15th minute the ‘Toro’ Fernandez He converted the penalty to make it 1-0, with which the Mexican team achieved its first objective: scoring an early goal.

As in the first half, in the second the Mexicans came out fast against an opponent who adopted an offensive attitude and at times took the ball away from the light blue team.

The Mexican fans, who two weeks ago challenged the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, with their homophobic shout, without any consequences, and repeated the harassment in the last league matches, today insisted, which led to the momentary suspension of the match for five minutes.

Recovered by the break given to them by the opposing team’s fans, the Los Angeles team put pressure on the restart.

When I needed more concentration Blue Cross At 90+2, the Argentine Gonzalo Piovi got himself sent off in a naive attack and signed the elimination of his team.

Seconds later, there was a foul in the area by Colombian Willer Ditta and Bouanga He converted the penalty, 1-1.

Frustrated, the fans repeated the homophobic cry, without consequences.

In the semifinal, Los Angeles FC will face the winner between the Mexican Toluca and the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS, who will decide their series this Wednesday.

1. Blue Cross: Kevin Mier; Erik Lira (Mateo Levy, m.82), Gonzalo Piovi, Willer Ditta; Omar Campos, Jéremy Márquez (Christian Ebere, d.76), Agustín Palavecino, Rodolfo Rotondi, Carlos Rodríguez; Andrés Montaño (José Paradela, m.68), Gabriel Fernández.

Coach: Nicolás Larcamón.

1. Los Angeles FC: Hugo Lloris; Nkosi Tafari, Ryan Porteous, Eddie Segura, Sergi Palomino; David Martínez (Jacob Shaffelburg, m.68), Mark Delgado, Mattieu Choiniere; They are Heung-Min, Denis Bouanga (Tyler Boyd, m.90+7), Timothy Tillman.

Coach: Marc Dos Santos.

Goals: 1-0, m.15: Gabriel Fernández; 1-1, m.90+7: Denis Bouanga.