Cruz Azul and Club América will face off for a third-consecutive season in the Liga MX playoffs and for the second straight time in the semifinals, reigniting what's become the biggest rivalry in the modern era of Mexico's top-flight.
What was previously already a massive rivalry between the two Mexico City teams has reached another level over the past 365 days.
Las Águilas have dominated Cruz Azul in the Liga MX playoffs. América defeated Cruz Azul in the Liga MX Clausura 2024 final last year en route to becoming back-to-back champions. In the Apertura 2024 semifinals, Las Aguilas defeated Cruz Azul 4–3 in one of the greatest ever semifinal matches in Liga MX history, ending Cruz Azul's record-breaking season and punching their tickets to the final where they'd eventually secure their third straight championship.
Cruz Azul punched back a month and a half ago when they dispatched América in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals, denying their rivals the only major trophy they haven't lifted in the André Jardine era.
Both teams made light work of León and Pachuca in the quarterfinals, setting the stage for another thrilling chapter in the history of El Clásico Joven. Will Cruz Azul finally put an end to América's dominance over Liga MX? Or will Las Águilas continue their supremacy over La Máquina and get one step closer to a historic fourth straight title?
Here's everything you need to know prior to the first leg of the Liga MX Clausura 2025 semifinals between Cruz Azul and América.






