Liga MX Semifinal Showdown: Tigres UANL Host Cruz Azul with Final Berth on the Line
This will be a crucial Liga MX Apertura 2025 semifinal clash, with both teams in strong form and vying for a spot in the final. The match promises to be a tactical battle where key players from both sides will look to make a significant impact.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
This match marks the first leg of the Liga MX Apertura 2025 semifinals. Both Tigres UANL and Cruz Azul are fiercely battling for a coveted spot in the championship final. Historically, encounters between these two clubs are highly competitive, fueled by their intense rivalry and consistent presence among the league's top contenders. Currently, Tigres UANL sit second in the Liga MX standings with 36 points, closely followed by Cruz Azul in third with 35 points, highlighting the tight race for top positions and crucial playoff seeding. Cruz Azul desperately needs a win to maintain pressure on the league leaders, while Tigres UANL, with their seasoned squad, views this game as a pivotal test before the playoffs intensify.
Recent Form
Tigres UANL arrives in strong recent form, having secured four wins and one draw in their last five official matches. This impressive run includes a dominant 5-0 victory over Club Tijuana and a 3-1 win against Atlético San Luis, showcasing their potent offensive capabilities and defensive solidity. Cruz Azul also enters this match in robust shape, with three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five official outings. Notable results include a thrilling 3-2 victory over Guadalajara Chivas in the quarter-finals and a commanding 3-0 away win against Puebla. An earlier Apertura 2025 fixture saw them draw 1-1 with Tigres UANL.
Key Players & Injury News
Cruz Azul faces a significant setback with the confirmed absence of key goalkeeper Kevin Mier, who sustained a tibia fracture in November 2025 and is ruled out for the remainder of the Apertura 2025 playoffs. Andrés Gudiño is expected to step in as the starting goalkeeper. Midfielder Andrés Montaño is also sidelined due to a knee injury. Other pivotal players expected to play crucial roles include Rodolfo Rotondi, Jorge Sánchez, Charly Rodríguez, Ángel Sepúlveda, and Gabriel Fernández, who leads the team with 8 goals this season. For Tigres UANL, goalkeeper Fernando Tapia is a game-time decision with an undisclosed concern, meaning Nahuel Guzmán is projected to retain his starting role. Jesús Angulo is recovering from muscle discomfort, and Nicolás Ibáñez from a foot injury, though their precise status for this match requires the latest confirmation. Key players for Tigres include prolific striker André-Pierre Gignac, whose clinical finishing is vital, and Juan Brunetta, who leads the team with 10 goals this season. Diego Lainez and Ángel Correa are also expected to make significant contributions.