The “Clásico Joven” lived up to expectations and turned out to be one of the most exciting matches of the 2026 Apertura. Cruz Azul defeated América 4-3 at Banorte Stadium in a seven-goal thriller that had it all and ended América’s unbeaten streak on Matchday 8.
La Máquina came out firing on all cylinders and quickly found a way to hurt an América team that entered the match as the undefeated leader of Liga MX. In the 19th minute, Érik Lira opened the scoring with a powerful shot that went straight into the corner, following an assist from José Paradela.
Cruz Azul didn’t let up and continued to exploit the spaces left open by América’s defense. In the 35th minute, Paradela popped up inside the box to score the second goal, while Jesús Orozco Chiquete made it 3-0 just before halftime.
The first half could have even ended with an even wider lead. After a VAR review, the referee awarded Cruz Azul a penalty kick for a foul by Ramón Juárez. Nicolás Ibáñez took the kick, but Rodolfo Cota guessed the direction of the shot and prevented the fourth goal.
América tried to mount a comeback
Trailing by three goals, Guillermo Almada shuffled his lineup, and América came out a different team in the second half. The comeback began in the 52nd minute, when Brian Rodríguez scored on a free kick to make it 3-1 and breathe new life into the Águilas.
But Cruz Azul struck again. In the 72nd minute, Gabriel Fernández received a long pass from Érik Lira and scored La Máquina’s fourth goal, restoring the three-goal lead.
It seemed as though the match was all but over, but América still had the last word. Óscar Perea pulled one back in the 90th minute, and almost immediately afterward, Miguel Borja scored to make it 4-3. The final minutes were pure agony for Cruz Azul, which had to withstand América’s attacks until the final whistle.
Cruz Azul makes a statement
With this victory, Cruz Azul confirmed its strong form after having secured two consecutive wins prior to the Clásico Joven and now added a hugely significant victory against the league leader.
For América, however, the loss meant the end of the unbeaten streak they had maintained throughout the 2026 Apertura. The Águilas entered the match with 16 points and as league leaders, but left Estadio Banorte with a painful defeat.
The Clásico Joven turned out to be exactly what it promised: goals, controversy, a comeback, and tension right up to the last second. This time, it was all blue.
