LAFC 1 vs 1 Cruz Azul live online: stats, score and highlights | Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal second leg

Cruz Azul had 31 shots, 10 on goal while LAFC managed just six shots and one on goal. The only one that found the target came in stoppage time after a rare counter attack from the visitors opened up space for Jacob Shaffelburg. His shot was blocked by the sliding defender but the ball hit off the planted arm of Ditta and that sent Denis Bouanga to the spot where he finished off the match and finished off the defending champions. LAFC will now look towards the semifinals and will find out who they will be playing as Toluca and the LA Galaxy play their second leg tomorrow. The goal from Bouanga could be the determining factor in LAFC getting to host the second leg at home should the Galaxy advance or Toluca draw from Dignity Health Sports Park. 

Fernandez, the Cruz Azul top scorer, stepped up and buried the penalty to ignite a wave of belief around the Estadio Cuauhtémoc. Cruz Azul had plenty of opportunities to score, but Hugo Lloris was fantastic after seeing the early penalty hit the back of the net. LAFC hung and defended for the next 70 minutes and did exactly what they needed to do to protect their lead from the first leg. 

Ivan Barto was the referee from Puebla, and showed a few yellow cards early on to show he wasn't going to be allowing any nonsense in the second leg. This corner kick ended in a penalty, which Barto whistled on the pitch after Sergi Palencia took down Gabriel Fernandez in the area. He was urged to go to VAR to make sure but he stuck with his call and Cruz Azul went to the spot before the 20 minute mark. 

LAFC are going to the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup after a convincing two legs against defending champions, Cruz Azul. In the first leg it was the Californian side lighting up La Maquina with a vicious counter attack which led to a 3-0 win in the first leg. In the second leg it was all about defending, but things got nervy early as Cruz Azul got a penalty before the 20th minute. The defense buckled down for the rest of the way, and Hugo Lloris made 9 saves to advance LAFC to the semifinals. 

IT´S ALL OVER FROM PUEBLA!!!

A late goal didn't matter, but LAFC prevent a loss and stamp their name in the semifinals after a great defensive performance away from home. The defending champions have been knocked out, and LAFC's pursuit of a first CCC title continues. 

Counter on for LAFC, and Shaffelburg took the shot after the pass from Son, and that shot was stopped by a sliding Ditta who had his arm planted in the glass and a penalty is called!

Rotondi into the box with a cross from the left side and that is easily taken by Lloris. 

This game coming to a lull after the red card as it looks like Cruz Azul have waved the white flag with three minutes to go needing two goals. 

PIvoi shown a straight red card after swiping Buoanga's feet from under him in a nasty challenge late in the match. 

Bouanga had a chance to play in Son with everyone pushed up for Cruz Azul, but that pass was intercepted. 

Seven minutes of stoppage time!!!

One, two ball and a back hell as Palavecino had a 1 v 1 with Lloris and he makes the point blank save, his ninth of the night!!!

Corner taken off the front post by Son and he almost played Shaffelburg in behind the defense. 

Rodriguez into the area for Fernandez and his header is blocked away for a corner. 

Rotondi lined up a shot at the top of the area, and that was blocked away by Porteous. 

Tillman out for Hollingshed as LAFC go into their bench. 

Ebere with a move to the byline on the right side but that cross sailed on him and skied over everyone in the area. 

Corner kick to the back post was headed by Rodriguez and cleared from danger by Segura. 

Campos gets behind the defender, but Shaffelburg was able to knock it out for a corner. 

Campos with a dangerous ball through the heart of the box but that took a bounce and he couldn't connect with anyone in the area. 

Levy, the 19 year old comes on for Lira in an attacking move by Cruz Azul. 

Rotondi with the cross and Fernandez got a head to it but Lloris was tucked by the near post and made the save as he went to ground. 

Rotondi put a shoulder check into Buoanga already on a yellow card, and he somehow escaped a second yellow. That could be something we look back on depending on how this game plays out. 

Corner taken again, this time cleared as far as the top of the box and a harmless shot over the bar came from Paradela. 

Corner for Cruz Azul and it fell to Rodrigez who ripped a volley and it ricocheted off Tafari and went out for a corner. 

Another sub coming for Cruz Azul, Ebera coming in from Marquez. 

Rotondi with a run in behind the defense and it was a perfect pass from Rodriguez. He was able to put a shot on goal, and Lloris got there but it did slip under his body but checked up before rolling over the line. Nervy moments for LAFC. 

Son takes it but fires it right into the wall. Chance goes begging for LAFC. 

Shaffelburg taken down on the left side of the pitch right outside the area and that's going to be a chance for LAFC, a rare chance. 

Bouanga with a training ground play, played it back to outside the area, and then a ball to the back post was nodded on but easily collected by Meir. 

Lloris with a long ball from the back and Bouanga took it down with a brilliant touch, and that ends a corner for LAFC. 

First sub of the night, and it´s Paradela for Monanto and Shaffelburg for Martinez in the 67' minute. 

Rodriguez controlled it at the top of the area, and just flicked it for Fernandez into the area, but those two weren't on the same page. 

Corner kick for Cruz Azul and it bounced kindly for Piovi on the back post but his shot hits the outside of the netting. 

19 shots for Cruz Azul, 6 on target and just 2 shots from LAFC with none on target. 

Slicing pass from the back to Montano in the area, and he had to stretch for it but did control it and just laced it to the outside of the post. 

We are back in play after a stoppage time to let the fans know that the behavior won´t be accepted. 

Apparently the fans cheer in anticipation “eeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhh.... PU*A!!!!” as Lloris took the kick. This is quite common in Mexican soccer, but the ref is having none of it in the CCC. 

The ref just stopped the game after the goal kick after the crowd yelled something derogatory as Lloris took the kick. The ref topped the match and are making sure that the fans see the message across the big screen here at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc 

Montano skies that free kick over everyone in the area for a corner kick. 

Hand ball called on the end line after Segura's plant hand held a ball up and will give Cruz Azul to push more bodies in the box. 

Nice combo work from Cruz Azul which ended at the feet or Rotondi who looked to play a ball in from the left side of the box, but that sailed on him and goes out in to touch. 

Good bit of defending from LAFC who had to deal with a few half chances from outside the area, and got a block to each and every one. 

Bouanga chases a ball towards the end line took a touch around the defender and stumbled as he entered the area. There was a half hearted appeal for a penalty, but he was never going to get it. 

Bouanga's corner was looking for an LAFC head, but Cruz Azul clear their lines. 

Corner kick to come for LAFC after a deflected pass rolls out. 

Son has been silent in this game with little to no service against this back three of Cruz Azul. 

Palavecino's corner was to tight to the keeper and Lloris claims it with out a problem. 

Marquez to the back post from the right side and Porteous nods it out for a corner kick. Sixth of the night for Cruz Azul. 

Rotondi with a ball into the box and the header was mishit by Rodriguez. 

WE ARE BACK IN PUEBLA FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION!!!

This was the penalty that was under consideration from VAR. Palencia made some contact, but was there enough to call the penalty kick? Cruz Azul won't be complaining that's for sure. 

It was an electric start to this match and Cruz Azul started off on the right foot for the second leg in a row. Plenty of cards were shown to each team, a lot of time wasting from LAFC, and the only goal came on a penalty off of a corner kick. Fernandez was taken down by Palencia on what was a questionable call. Ref Ivan Barto went to VAR and confirmed that it was indeed a penalty. Fernandez stepped up and buried it for the 1-0 to ring hope around the Estadio Cuauhtémoc. There were a few more chances from the defending champions in the final few minutes of the first half, but Lloris made a couple of really good saves. 

There are 45' minutes to go and you have to assume that Cruz Azul is going to be going after this game even more with time winding down in the eliminatory. 

WE ARE AT THE HALFTIME BREAK HERE FROM PUEBLA, AND THE HOME SIDE STILL HAVE A CHANCE AFTER A FIRST HALF GOAL COURTESY OF A FERNANDEZ PENALTY KICK. 

Corner kick taken but a whistle blows for a foul in the area and that's going to bring an end to the first half. 

Campos with a touch into the middle from the left side and he rockets it goalwards but Lloris got a finger to it and pushed it over the bar!

Bouncing ball that pinged off a few players, and that bounces out for a goal kick as the LAFC defense locks down hoping to get to the break with just the one goal on the board. 

Another corner to come after Palavecino's shot is blocked. 

Free kick given for Cruz Azul in a difficult position in the middle of the field and Lloris captures that easy ball into the area. 

FIVE MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME IN THIS FIRST HALF. 

Fernandez tried to touch it through two defenders to himself in the box, but that was cleared by Lloris. 

Quick corner taken and the ball from the end line to the top of the area for Rotondi was smashed into row K here in Puebla. 

Long corner kick over the pile of bodies in the box comes to nothing for the Mexicans. 

Rodriguez with a shot on the left side of the area and that was deflected wide for a corner. 

Almost all of the possession being held by Cruz Azul so far through 41 minutes. It's not surprising, but it is shocking how tough LAFC are finding it to string some passes together. 

Another yellow card shown, this one to Delgado of LAFC after a late challenge in the middle of the park. 

A goal from Cruz Azul would open this game right up for the home side. They should get one or two more chances before the whistle the way this game is going. 

Palavecino takes a touch on a ball into the box and his shot at the near post is stifled by Lloris. 

The shots right now are 9-1 in favor of Cruz Azul. A fitting picture of how this game has gone so far. 

Remember the away goal rule still applies in CCC, so if LAFC scores a goal Cruz Azul would need five goals to win this game. 

Montano was sent in to the box with a through ball, and flicked it over Lloris who dove in but the ball just trickles wide. Montano and Lloris both stay down after a collision, but both back to their feet. 

This was the goal which was a pretty straight forward strike from Fernandez, but the penalty decision was a bit less straight forward. 

Free kick from Campos came in a little shallow and was nodded away from danger as a chance goes wasting. 

Sloppy foul along the touch line from LAFC, and that's going to be another opportunity to put bodies in the box for Cruz Azul. 

Campos with an early cross in off a throw in from the corner, and that flashed right in front of the face of goal without a touch as Fernandez was a step late. 

Palencia with all kinds off space on the right side after a great ball from the back from Porteous and his cross from just outside the area was intercepted easily by Piovi who saw the ball bounce up and hit his hand, but the ref was on top of it and waved off any potential penalty. 

Every throw in, every foul, every opportunity LAFC have to tick some seconds off the clock, they are taking with a chorus of whistles from the local Mexican fans. 

Campos with a call into the middle again and it´s Fernandez getting a head to it but another comfortable save for Lloris. Cruz Azul keeping the pressure up after getting a goal back in the tie. 

Bouanga ended up getting a yellow card during the clash with Fernandez for a little of afters a few minutes ago. That means he will miss the first leg of the semis should LAFC get there. 

Now it's Porteous who is shown a yellow card for lifting an elbow on Marquez in the midfield. 

It was a calm finish by the top scorer for Cruz Azul and this will give them all the belief in the world that they can make the comeback!!!

After having a look at the replay, the ref confirms his call and points to the spot!!!

On the corner kick, Fernandez goes down in the midst of a whole lot of contact and the ref blows the whistle and points to the spot! An early glimmer of hope as the ref goes to VAR to make sure. 

Bouncing ball into the box from from Campos and Fernandez got his foot around it but Lloris was there with a quick reaction save to push it out for a corner. 

Bouanga was taken down by Fernandez in the middle of the pitch, and he gets a yellow card. That´s already five yellows for Cruz Azul already. 

Delgado gets chopped down in the middle of the park and he takes his time getting up as LAFC starts with the time wasting tactics early on. 

Lira pushes up from his CB position and laces it high of the target. No VAR review coming after checking upstairs. 

Campos with a cross into the area from the right side and that hit the defender right in the mid section and Cruz Azul are asking for a penalty. The ref will be in touch with VAR during this play. 

First chance for LAFC, but it's been all Cruz Azul traffic towards the LAFC goal so far. 

Lira with a trivela into the area and that is nodded away again this time by Porteous and that sparked a counter attack led by Martinez, but the last touch was lacking as he tried to slide it across the box to Son. 

Great ball to the end line for Montano who sent a quick ball into the small area and Nkosi just got a foot to that dangerous cross to clear the danger. 

Marquez dribbling into the middle from the right side and lifts it up and over for Fernandez but that header bounced into the hands of Lloris. 

Ball over the top for Fernandez is cut out by Nkosi and the first attack is dealt with for LAFC. 

Let´s see how Cruz Azul come out in a desperate situation. Remember they came out the better looking side in the first leg. 

Right off the back Campos goes down for Cruz Azul, but he is back to his feet quickly. 

WE ARE UNDERWAY HERE FROM PUEBLA, MEXICO!!!

The seven time champions have their backs against the wall tonight. Fernandez is the trigger man up top, he's going to have to have a busy night. 

Marc Dos Santos is going with his big guns up front. It's a winning formula that's been proven so why not go after it tonight in Puebla. 

League form: LAFC  

The MLS side is sitting pretty after the first few weeks in the domestic league, despite suffering their first lost of the campaign in Portland against the Timbers. Before that, they were 5-1-0 in the MLS and had yet to concede a goal against their MLS opponents. They are currently 3rd in the Western Conference with 16 points, behind Vancouver Whitecaps and San Jose Earthquakes, and tied on points with Eastern Conference leaders, Nashville SC who play tomorrow.  

League form: Cruz Azul

Cruz Azul had a tough league match between their two legs of the CCC, having to play Club America over the weekend. They were able to salvage a point and stay in the top two in the Clausura in Liga MX. they have 8 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses in 14 matches in the league, and are sitting three points behind Guadalajara who have 31 points.

CCC History: LAFC 

This is just the fourth time that LAFC have been in this tournament, but every time they enter the CCC they make noise. They went to the final in their first appearance losing to Tigers UNAL in 2020. Their second CCC campaign came in 2023 and they were runners up again, losing 3-1 to Club Leon de Mexico. Last year was their third appearance in the CCC, and they went to the QF, where they are at this stage of the tournament. 

CCC History: Cruz Azul

Anyone who knows this tournament knows what a power house Cruz Azul are when they enter this competition. They have won the cup 7 times, which is tied for the most Concacaf Champions Cups in the history. Their first came in 1969, and they would go on to win three straight. Back to back titles in 1996 and 1997 would break a long spell with out a title, and they won their sixth back in 2014, and are now looking for a back to back bid once again after winning the Cup for the seventh time last year. 

How they got here: LAFC 

LAFC started this tournament against Real España of Honduras in the first round. It was a two legged tie that didn't present too many problems for the California side. They went to Honduras and ripped Real España to bits with a 6-1 win while Denis Bouanga scored a hat trick to begin his CCC campaign. A round of 16 match up with Alajuelense was next up and after a 1-1 draw in LA, the black and gold took care of business with a 1-2 win in Costa Rica to advance them to the quarterfinals.

How they got here: Cruz Azul 

The CCC titans breezed past their first round opponents Vancouver FC with an eight goal thrashing of the Canadian side. They went north of the border and beat Vancouver 0-3 before returning home and rubbing salt on the wound with a 5-0 win at home. Things got tricky in the round of 16 against Liga MX side Monterrey. They needed a couple of late goals to get out of Monterrey with a 2-3 win on the road, and then hung on for a 1-1 draw that booked them their ticket to the quarters. 

Star watch: LAFC

LAFC has built up a team of stars from front to back and they were on display in the first match up of the season. David Martinez has four goals in the CCC, with three coming in the last two games. He scored the game winner against Alajuelense in the second leg of the round of 16, and then had a brace against Cruz Azul. He has blistering pace which he showed in the first leg, and an ability to finish at full speed that is rarely seen. Defense is going to be key tonight, but with the Mexicans attacking Martinez might have a chance to stretch his legs on those counter attacks. 

Star watch: Cruz Azul  

Cruz Azul came up empty in the first leg, but they are going to need their big names to show up for this big game. Gabriel Fernandez is the top scorer in Liga MX with 13 goals for La Maquina, while Luka Romero is the high scorer in the CCC with three goals. They will take it from where they can get it, but both of these talismen need to be on form tonight in a match that Cruz Azul need to go after the comeback from the very first minute. 

First leg result 

You wouldn't have known it from the scoreline, but Cruz Azul came out the better side for the first 20 minutes of the match. They had more of the ball, but didn’t create too many opportunities. Instead it was Son Heung-Min who put the home side on the board a half of an hour into the match with a brilliant combo play up the right wing. He finished off a cross sent in by Choiniere with one touch to put the opening goal on the board. Then David Martinez took over, scoring the final two goals on both sides of the halftime break and the defense kept a clean sheet to take a 3-0 lead into the second leg. 

We are live from Estadio Cuauhtemoc 

Hello everyone and welcome to Puebla, where the Concacaf Champions Cup's winningest club has their backs against the ropes following a difficult first leg in LA. Now Cruz Azul return home looking to make what would be a historic comeback against an LAFC side that has a bright start to their MLS campaign and are knocking on the door of a return to the CCC semis. Will LAFC be the first team in the next round, or will it be Cruz Azul continuing their quest for an eighth CCC title?

LAFC vs Cruz Azul live online 

It's the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal second leg from Puebla, Mexico and LAFC are sniffing the semis after a convincing win in the opening leg from Los Angeles. Now they head south to take on Cruz Azul who will be looking for a dramatic come back in front of their home fans and AS English will be with you all day providing live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis of tonight’s game from the Estadio Cuauhtémoc.