The Liga MX playoffs delivered drama without goals when C.D. Guadalajara and Cruz Azul played out a tense 0-0 draw in the first leg of their 2025 Apertura Liguilla quarterfinals at Estadio AKRON in Zapopan, Jalisco, on Thursday, November 27, 2025. The match, which kicked off at 9:07 p.m. ET, drew a roaring 65,000 fans — the same crowd that packed the stadium for their August meeting — but left supporters on the edge of their seats more from missed chances than from goals. With both teams trading near-misses, including a massive 86th-minute blast from Cruz Azul’s Marquez that rattled the crossbar, the result sets up a high-stakes second leg in Mexico City with everything on the line.

Why This Match Matters More Than the Score

It’s easy to overlook a 0-0 draw, but in the Liguilla, that result is a gift to the higher-seeded team. Cruz Azul, who finished third in the regular season with 35 points (10 wins, 5 draws, 2 losses), holds the advantage heading into Sunday’s return leg. Chivas, sixth with 29 points (9 wins, 2 draws, 6 losses), must now score at least once on the road to force extra time — and even then, they’d need to win outright. The pressure isn’t just tactical; it’s emotional. For Chivas, this is about legacy. For Cruz Azul, it’s about silencing doubters after a shaky finish to the regular season.

Remember how Cruz Azul lost 3-2 to Pumas UNAM in their final league game? That result rattled their defense. Chivas, meanwhile, closed strong with a 4-2 win over Monterrey, where Javier "Chicharito" Hernández found the net — his first goal in over three months. That’s the kind of momentum that can change a playoff narrative.

How Fans Watched — And Where to Catch the Decider

In the U.S., UNIVERSO carried the match live in Spanish, with Peacock Premium offering the only official English-language stream. FuboTV’s Latino Package ($33/month) and DirecTV Stream also delivered the game, though YouTube TV didn’t confirm coverage for this fixture. For those outside the U.S., Amazon Prime Video was the exclusive home in Mexico — a deal that’s turned the streaming giant into the unofficial "home of Chivas" in their home country, per Bolavip.

For international viewers, the workaround was clear: use a VPN like NordVPN to access U.S. services. World Soccer Talk, which broke down the viewing options in detail, noted that Tubi TV’s schedule didn’t list this match — a reminder that not all free platforms are created equal.

The Road Ahead: Second Leg and Semifinal Implications

The second leg is set for Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET on Univision and TUDN. JustWatch lists VIX as an alternate streamer, but Univision’s broadcast is considered the primary feed. The winner advances to face the victor of Monterrey vs. Club América in the semifinals, scheduled for December 3–7, 2025.

History favors Cruz Azul here. They’ve won four of their last five playoff meetings with Chivas, including a 2-1 win at Estadio AKRON back in August. But Chivas have a way of rising when the stakes are highest. Their fans still recall the 2006 Liguilla comeback that sent them to the final — a miracle fueled by grit, not goals.

What Went Wrong — And Who Could Change the Game

Neither side created consistent chances, but the patterns were telling. Chivas relied heavily on Efrain Alvarez’s dribbling and Roberto Alvarado’s crosses, but their final ball lacked precision. Cruz Azul’s midfield, led by Jose Paradela, controlled possession but couldn’t unlock Chivas’ compact backline. Goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera made two critical saves in the 61st and 78th minutes — one denying a clear Rivero chance — that could be the difference in the return leg.

Watch for Chivas’ 21-year-old striker Armando Gonzalez. He’s been quiet in the playoffs but scored twice in their last three matches. If he gets space in the second leg, he could be the X-factor. For Cruz Azul, keep an eye on Carlos Rodolfo Rotondi — he scored in the August win and has a knack for late goals.

Behind the Scenes: The Business of Liga MX

This isn’t just about soccer. It’s about money. Prime Video’s exclusive rights in Mexico are worth an estimated $120 million annually, and Chivas’ partnership with them has lifted their digital revenue by 40% since 2023. In the U.S., Peacock’s exclusive streaming rights for Chivas home games are part of NBCUniversal’s broader push into Spanish-language sports — a bet that the Mexican-American fanbase is worth billions.

Meanwhile, FuboTV’s $33/month Latino Package has seen a 22% spike in sign-ups since October, driven largely by Liga MX playoffs. The league’s average attendance of 28,000 per game in 2025 makes it the third-most-attended league in the Americas — behind only MLS and Brazil’s Serie A.

What’s Next?

The second leg in Mexico City will be a test of nerves. Will Cruz Azul’s experience carry them through? Or will Chivas’ home-field advantage — even on the road — spark another miracle? One thing’s certain: if the match goes to penalties, it’ll be the most intense 12-yard shootout since the 2022 Liguilla.

And if you’re wondering why this matters beyond the scoreboard? Because in Mexico, football isn’t just a game. It’s identity. For Chivas, it’s about pride. For Cruz Azul, it’s about redemption. And for fans on both sides? It’s about remembering why they fell in love with the sport in the first place.