Cruz Azul scores 5 against America and takes the Clasico Joven!
Cruz Azul thrashes America in the 2nd half and wins the ‘Clasico Joven’ to the tune of 5-2 in the Estadio Azteca.
America and Cruz Azul faced off in the young capital derby or ‘Clasico Joven’. America was coming off their 4-2 victory in the ‘Clasico Nacional’, or the National Derby against their heated rival, Chivas. On the other hand, Cruz Azul was coming off a 2-0 loss against Pachuca. La Maquina’s head coach was in the hot seat as the team seemed destined to miss the playoffs.
A game against inner-city rivals, who share the same stadium, made for great drama and suspense. In the end, only one group of fans left victorious.
La Maquina was the team who struck first. During a corner kick, Julio Cesar “El Cata” Dominguez, beat defenders in the box and headed the ball past Guillermo Ochoa for the 1-0 lead in the 16th minute.
In the 37th minute, Guido Rodriguez gave Las Aguilas the tying goal with an amazing long-distance shot to the lower far right corner of the goal. Jesus Corona dived to no avail as the ball rolled passed his outstretched hands for the equalizer.
Just as La Maquina tried to regroup, America struck again thanks to
In the second half, it became clear that only one team was ready to play. Cruz Azul turned an extra switch after Roger Martinez received a red card for a hard mid-air challenge.
Off a corner kick in the 53rd minute, ex America defender, Pablo Aguilar, was able to shake off his defender and headed the ball past Memo Ochoa for the game-tying goal.
Five minutes later, La Maquina took a 3-2 lead off another set-piece. Roberto “El Piojo” Alvarado received a pass inside the box and headed the ball past Ochoa for the lead.
In the 62nd minute, La Maquina gained momentum. When Orbelin Pineda took on Bruno Valdez, he created distance between himself and Valdez and sent a shot inside the box for an amazing goal.
The final nail in the coffin was made by Jonathan Rodriguez. After a defensive error by Jorge Sanchez, Jonathan Rodriguez intercepted inside the 18-yard box and chipped the ball over Ochoa for the winning goal.
With this victory, Cruz Azul jumped to 11th place in the standings, which may buy their coach a few more weeks. America’s next match will be against Liga MX Super Leader Necaxa on October 19th.
Next match: For Cruz Azul – Sat., 10/19 against Morelia. For America – Sat.,10/19 against Necaxa.
