Football

CONCACAF Champions Cup: Cruz Azul Cruise Into Final

Cruz Azul defeated the UANL Tigres 1-0 on Thursday in the second leg of the semifinal to progress to the CONCACAF Champions Cup final after both teams had drawn 1-1 in the first leg. Cruz Azul will now face Vancouver Whitecaps in the final who had defeated Lionel Messi's Inter Miami at the last four stage. Cruz Azul found the only goal of the game through the 34-year-old Sepulveda who converted a penalty in the 81st minute for the Mexico City team.

Mexico Soccer Concacaf champions cup 2025 semifinal Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL: Lorenzo Faravelli
CONCACAF Champions Cup: Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL | Photo: AP/Eduardo Verdugo

Lorenzo Faravelli, left, and Carlos Rodriguez of Mexico's Cruz Azul celebrate after beating 1-0 Mexico's Tigres during a CONCACAF Champions Cup second leg semifinal soccer match in Mexico City.

2/10
Mexico Soccer Concacaf champions cup 2025 semifinal Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL: Amaury Morales
CONCACAF Champions Cup: Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL | Photo: AP/Eduardo Verdugo

Amaury Morales of Mexico's Cruz Azul, left, attempts a shot on goal challenged by Jesus Angulo of Mexico's Tigres during a CONCACAF Champions Cup second leg semifinal soccer match in Mexico City.

3/10
Mexico Soccer Concacaf champions cup 2025 semifinal Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL: Angel Sepulveda
CONCACAF Champions Cup: Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL | Photo: AP/Eduardo Verdugo

Angel Sepulveda of Mexico's Cruz Azul (9) celebrates scoring his side's opening goal from the penalty spot alongside Erik Lira against Mexico's Tigres during a CONCACAF Champions Cup second leg semifinal soccer match in Mexico City.

4/10
Mexico Soccer Concacaf champions cup 2025 semifinal Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL: Angel Sepulveda
CONCACAF Champions Cup: Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL | Photo: AP/Eduardo Verdugo

Angel Sepulveda of Mexico's Cruz Azul celebrates scoring his side's opening goal from the penalty spot against Mexico's Tigres during a CONCACAF Champions Cup second leg semifinal soccer match in Mexico City.

5/10
Mexico Soccer Concacaf champions cup 2025 semifinal Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL: Angel Sepulveda
CONCACAF Champions Cup: Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL | Photo: AP/Eduardo Verdugo

Angel Sepulveda of Mexico's Cruz Azul, right, celebrates scoring his side's opening goal from the penalty spot alongside Erik Lira against Mexico's Tigres during a CONCACAF Champions Cup second leg semifinal soccer match in Mexico City.

6/10
Mexico Soccer Concacaf champions cup 2025 semifinal Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL: Drew Fischer
CONCACAF Champions Cup: Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL | Photo: AP/Eduardo Verdugo

Players of Mexico's Cruz Azul and Mexico's Tigres protest to referee Drew Fischer during a CONCACAF Champions Cup second leg semifinal soccer match in Mexico City.

7/10
Mexico Soccer Concacaf champions cup 2025 semifinal Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL: Angel Sepulveda
CONCACAF Champions Cup: Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL | Photo: AP/Eduardo Verdugo

Angel Sepulveda of Mexico's Cruz Azul reacts after missing a chance to score against Mexico's Tigres during a CONCACAF Champions Cup second leg semifinal soccer match in Mexico City.

8/10
Mexico Soccer Concacaf champions cup 2025 semifinal Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL: Vicente Sanchez
CONCACAF Champions Cup: Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL | Photo: AP/Eduardo Verdugo

Coach Vicente Sanchez of Mexico's Cruz Azul reacts during a CONCACAF Champions Cup second leg semifinal soccer match against Mexico's Tigres, in Mexico City.

9/10
Mexico Soccer Concacaf champions cup 2025 semifinal Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL: Lorenzo Faravelli
CONCACAF Champions Cup: Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL | Photo: AP/Eduardo Verdugo

Lorenzo Faravelli of Mexico's Cruz Azul, left, and Fernando Gorriaran of Mexico's Tigres compete for the ball during a CONCACAF Champions Cup second leg semifinal soccer match in Mexico City.

10/10
Mexico Soccer Concacaf champions cup 2025 semifinal Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL: Diego Lainez
CONCACAF Champions Cup: Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL | Photo: AP/Eduardo Verdugo

Diego Lainez of Mexico's Tigres, right, is challenged by Jorge Sanchez of Mexico's Cruz Azul during a CONCACAF Champions Cup second leg semifinal soccer match in Mexico City.

CLOSE