Cruz Azul’s biggest home defeats in the Liga MX
La Máquina suffered a 1-4 defeat to Pumas in Saturday’s capital derby. We take a look at Cruz Azul’s similar harrowing home defeats.
Nothing seems to be going right for Cruz Azul whose crisis deepened in the Apertura 2023 this weekend. La Máquina were thrashed 1-4 by Pumas on Saturday - the team’s seventh defeat of the regular season. Their performance once again highlighted how much the team has fallen into decline - in spite of the recent wins over Atlético San Luis and Necaxa.
It was one of the worst defeats that Cruz Azul have suffered at their own stadium during the last 25 years. We take a look at similar, painful defeats in the league at the Azteca.
Necaxa 1-4 Summer of ‘97
The oldest one on record was against the Necaxa in the summer of 1997. With goals from Sergio Vázquez on 15 minutes and Ricardo Peláez on 32 minutes, the visitors took a two-goal lead in at the break then doubled it late on with Sergio Zarate scoring a brace (80′ and 85′). Carlos Hermosillo pulled one back for the Celestes who finished a dismal campaign out of the Liguilla. The opposite was true for Necaxa who enjoyed one of their best campaigns in club history, narrowly losing in the semi-finals to Toros Neza.
San Luis 1-4 Clausura 2004
Seven years passed before the capital’s team fell resoundingly at home again - this time, at the hands of Atlético San Luis. Goals came courtesy of Angel Sosa (10′), two from Sergio Blanco (22′ and 33′), with Christián Patiño dealing the killer blow from the penalty spot on half-time. Marcelo Delgado replied when play resumed but it was too little too late.
Monterrey 1-4 Concachampions
The only defeat suffered not in the Liga MX but during an international tournament - the leg semi-final return leg against Rayados. Cruz Azul went into the game with a 0-1 advantage from the first leg but their defence collapsed in the return, unable to deal with Monterrey’s firepower. With goals from Maxi Meza, Duván Vergara and two more from Funes Mori, Cruz Azul were eliminated from that edition while Monterrey were crowned champions.
Pumas 1-4 Apertura 2023
The most recent defeat in matchday 12 of the current tournament. A match that was tied at one goal at half-time, but which took a turn in the second half with one side completely on top. Two strikes from Chino Huerta, and one apiece from Rivas and Nathan Silva completed a memorable win for the visitors. Cruz Azul remain in 15th place in the bottom places and unable to pull themselves back up the order. With Tigres up next, they need to start winning asap. Right now, everything indicates that they will not be involved in a direct fight for the title for the second time running.