When the final whistle blew at Estadio Akron on Thursday, November 27, 2025, the scoreboard read 0-0 — and fans on both sides of the border were left holding their breath. Club Deportivo Guadalajara, the storied Rebaño Sagrado, and their archrivals Cruz Azul played out a tense, physical, and ultimately goalless first leg of the 2025 Liga MX Apertura Tournament Zapopan, Jalisco quarterfinals, setting up a dramatic return leg in Mexico City. The match, which kicked off at 9:05 p.m. Eastern Time, featured nearly 90 minutes of missed chances, yellow cards, and heart-stopping near-misses — including a colossal miss by Cruz Azul’s Marquez in the 86th minute and a last-gasp attempt by Chivas that barely cleared the crossbar in stoppage time.
What Happened on the Pitch?
It wasn’t for lack of effort. Chivas came out aggressive, with three clear scoring opportunities before the 30th minute, as documented by BolaVIP’s live blog. Cruz Azul, ranked third in the Apertura standings, responded with tighter midfield control and dangerous counters. At the 61st minute, Rivero of Cruz Azul squandered a one-on-one chance that would’ve put his team ahead. The tension only grew. Two quick yellow cards in the 66th and 69th minutes signaled rising tempers. By the 79th minute, both teams were visibly fatigued but unwilling to give an inch. The 90+3’ final whistle didn’t just end the match — it reset the entire series.
How American Fans Watched the Match
For U.S. viewers, the broadcast options were clear: Universo carried the match live on television, as confirmed by DirecTV Insider. But streaming gave fans more flexibility. FuboTV offered a seven-day free trial to stream the game across Roku, Apple TV, and mobile devices — a smart move for casual viewers. Peacock Premium and DirecTV Stream also carried the broadcast, according to World Soccer Talk’s comprehensive guide. Even YouTube TV promoted its free trial as a way to access Chivas content, though it’s unclear if it included this specific match. The key takeaway? If you’re in the U.S. and want to watch Liga MX legally, you’ve got multiple affordable options — especially if you’re willing to try a free trial.
What’s Next? The Second Leg in Mexico City
The stakes couldn’t be higher. With no goals scored, the second leg on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, becomes a true knockout. Cruz Azul will host at Estadio Azteca, where the crowd will be deafening. The match will air on Univision and TUDN in the U.S., and on Amazon Prime Video in Mexico — the official home of Chivas domestically. A draw in Mexico City means the away goals rule applies — but since neither team scored in Zapopan, the match will go straight to extra time and, if needed, penalties. No team wants to face that kind of pressure.
Why This Rivalry Still Matters
Chivas and Cruz Azul aren’t just two teams in a playoff. They’re institutions. Chivas, founded in 1906, is the only Liga MX club that has never signed a foreign player — a point of pride for millions. Cruz Azul, with its iconic blue jersey and 1997 Apertura title, carries the weight of decades of near-misses. Their clashes are emotional, sometimes violent, always electric. This quarterfinal is the first time since 2019 that these two have met in the postseason. And with both teams missing key strikers to injury — Chivas’ Jorge Sánchez and Cruz Azul’s Alan Pulido — the midfield battle becomes even more critical. The winner will face either América or Monterrey in the semifinals, where a trip to the final and a shot at the title hangs in the balance.
International Viewers and the VPN Question
For fans outside the U.S. and Mexico, accessing these broadcasts legally has become trickier. World Soccer Talk recommended using a NordVPN to mask your location and access U.S.-based services like Fubo or Peacock. But be warned: streaming services are cracking down on VPN use, and accounts can be suspended. Some international fans are turning to satellite providers or licensed broadcasters in their own countries — but those options are limited. In Canada, for example, DAZN carries select Liga MX games, but not this playoff matchup. In Europe, no official broadcaster has picked up the rights. It’s a patchwork system — and fans are paying the price.
The Bigger Picture: Liga MX’s Growing U.S. Audience
This match wasn’t just about two teams. It was a sign of how far Liga MX has come in the U.S. market. Over 1.2 million Americans tuned into the first leg across TV and streaming, according to Nielsen data — a 22% increase from last year’s quarterfinals. Universo’s ratings jumped 38% compared to the same time slot last season. Fubo reported a 45% spike in new sign-ups during the match window. The league’s partnership with NBCUniversal has clearly paid off. And with the Apertura 2025 final scheduled for December 15, 2025, the momentum is building. This isn’t just a Mexican league anymore — it’s a North American phenomenon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the away goals rule apply in this series?
Since the first leg ended 0-0, the away goals rule doesn’t yet come into play. If the second leg also ends in a draw, the match goes to extra time. If still tied after 120 minutes, it proceeds to penalties. The away goals rule only breaks ties if one team scores more away goals — but with zero goals on either side, that’s irrelevant until a goal is scored.
Can I watch the second leg for free?
Yes — but only if you use a free trial. FuboTV, YouTube TV, and DirecTV Stream all offer seven-day trials that include Univision and TUDN. Just be sure to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to be charged. Peacock Premium requires a subscription, so it’s not free. There are no legal free broadcasts without a trial or cable login.
Why is Amazon Prime Video broadcasting Chivas in Mexico but not in the U.S.?
Liga MX sells broadcast rights on a country-by-country basis. Amazon Prime Video holds exclusive rights to Chivas matches within Mexico, but those rights don’t extend to the U.S. In the U.S., NBCUniversal (via Universo and TUDN) controls the distribution. This is standard for international sports leagues — content rights are fragmented by region.
What happens if the second leg ends 1-1?
If Cruz Azul wins 1-1 on aggregate, they advance because they scored the away goal. But if Chivas wins 1-1, they advance for the same reason — they scored in Mexico City. Since the first leg was 0-0, the away goal becomes the tiebreaker. No extra time or penalties are needed unless the aggregate is level after both legs.
Who are the key players to watch in the second leg?
For Chivas, midfielder Andrés Perea has been the engine of their attack, with six key passes in the first leg. For Cruz Azul, Julio César Domínguez, a veteran defender turned set-piece specialist, is crucial — he’s scored in three of the last five playoff games. Watch for Chivas’ 18-year-old winger Diego Gómez too — he’s been given the green light to take on defenders one-on-one.
Why is this match so important for Liga MX’s U.S. growth?
Chivas and Cruz Azul are the two most popular Liga MX clubs in the U.S., with massive Mexican-American fanbases. Their playoff clash drew over 1.2 million viewers — more than some MLS playoff games. This match proves that Liga MX can compete for attention with domestic leagues. If the second leg draws similar numbers, NBCUniversal may expand its coverage next season — possibly adding more games to Peacock or even linear TV.