In a thrilling match, Cruz Azul beat Chivas 1-0 to maintain first place in Liga MX. For the second Saturday in a row, Chivas lost 1-0 at Estadio Azul after losing to Club America by the same scoreline at the same stadium. Cruz Azul were only slightly better and a draw might have been a fair result, but they retained first place with the win. Cruz Azul will hope to retain that spot when they travel to Pachuca on Saturday, while Chivas faces a tough home game against Monterrey.

Chivas started the first half with the return of Mateo Chavez to the starting line-up, while Cruz Azul sent Alexis Gutierrez in place of the suspended Gonzalo Piovi. A cross into the box from Alan Mozo found Armando Gonzalez, but his header was well saved by Cruz Azul goalkeeper Kevin Mier. A cross into the box found Luis Romo and his right footed shot narrowly missed. Minutes later, the ball was played flat for Romo, but his right footed volley went inches wide. A cross from Mozo took a deflection and turned into a shot, but Mier made a great save. After bringing the ball into the box, Mozo got past two defenders and fired a great shot that Mier made another great save. Carlos Rodriguez took a right footed shot from outside the box but the shot went wide. The first half had come to an end and although it was a lively half, there were not many chances as the game was very even.

At the start of the second half, both teams tried to get on the scoreboard. Roberto Alvarado had time and space to shoot with his left foot, but Mier made a very good save. A shot from Angel Sepulveda was saved by Chivas goalkeeper Raul Rangel. From the resulting corner, the completely unmarked Ignacio Rivera was able to fire a volley that went past Rangel and into the net, giving Cruz Azul a 1-0 lead. Chivas tried to respond with Fernando Beltran shooting with his right foot, but Willer Ditta deflected it away. A cross into the box was just within reach of Erick Gutierrez and Gonzalez. Cruz Azul substituted Angel Sepulveda for Giorgos Giakoumakis. After a great combination, Giakoumakis had a great chance, but Antonio Briseño blocked the shot with his foot. From a corner, Ditta received the ball and took a great left-footed shot, forcing Rangel to make a great save. On the ensuing corner, Ditta headed just wide from close range. Chivas substituted Erick Gutierrez for Ricardo Marin. After receiving the ball in the box, Gonzalez shot with his left foot that hit the post and bounced off Mier’s back, but he was able to reach the ball before it crossed the goal line. Carlos Rotondi made a good move in the box, but his right-footed shot went straight to Rangel. After winning possession, Alvarado whipped in a cross that Gonzalez headed but Mier made a good save. Cruz Azul substituted Ignacio Rivero for Andres Montaño. After being given time and space, Rotondi took a left-footed shot from outside the box that missed. Cruz Azul substituted Loreno Faravelli and Alexis Gutierrez for Camilo Candido and Amaury Garcia. Chivas brought off Alan Mozo for Carlos Cisneros. After receiving the ball in the box, Marin was able to fire a good left-footed shot that was saved brilliantly by Mier. Montaño was able to fire a good left-footed shot that Rangel saved, but the rebound was left open for Candido to fire a header from close range, but incredibly he headed the ball wide and missed the target. Despite this, Cruz Azul held on and took a win that cemented their place at the top of the table.

Cruz Azul and Chivas played well on Saturday, with Cruz Azul narrowly holding the upper hand. Chivas had key moments and Cruz Azul goalkeeper Kevin Mier did a great job of keeping Chivas scoreless. Cruz Azul had lost for the first time this season against Atletico San Luis. Chivas was coming off a home win against Leon, but came to the same stadium where they lost the Superclasico 1-0 to América. History repeated itself, although Chivas played much better against Cruz Azul. They will hope to build on that at home, where they have yet to concede a goal this season, but it will be a tough game against second-place Monterrey. Cruz Azul face a Pachuca team away from home that has struggled this season.