If you were looking for an América vs Cruz Azul semifinal 2024 showdown back in May, you probably felt like something was missing. You weren't crazy. The reality is that these two giants actually skipped the semifinal stage during the Clausura 2024, heading straight for a heart-stopping final instead.
Football fans often conflate the two tournaments within the calendar year. In the first half of 2024 (the Clausura), América took down Chivas in their semi, while Cruz Azul outlasted Monterrey. But fast forward to the end of the year, the Apertura 2024, and that's where the real "semifinal" drama happened. It was a chaotic, seven-goal thriller that basically redefined what a Clásico Joven could be.
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The Semifinal That Actually Happened (Apertura 2024)
While the May final gets all the historical glory because of the trophy, the December 2024 semifinal was arguably the better game. Honestly, it was pure madness. After a cagey 0–0 draw in the first leg at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, everyone figured the second leg would be a tactical chess match.
Wrong.
América, coached by André Jardine, came out like they had something to prove. They were the 8th seed—yeah, you read that right—taking on a Cruz Azul side that had just shattered the regular-season points record. On paper, Cruz Azul should have cruised. Instead, they got hit by a Richard Sánchez thunderbolt from the halfway line. It’s one of those goals you have to see three times to believe. He saw Kevin Mier slightly off his line and just let it fly.
A Scoreline for the Ages
By the 72nd minute, América was leading 3–1. Most people (including most of the fans in the stands) thought it was over. But this is Cruz Azul we're talking about. They don't do "quiet exits."
- Ignacio Rivero pulled one back in the 68th minute.
- Gabriel Fernández made it 3–2 at the 80-minute mark.
- Amaury Morales scored an absolute rocket of a volley in the 87th minute to level it at 3–3.
For a few minutes, the stadium was shaking. If the game ended in a draw, Cruz Azul would advance because of their higher seed. The "Cruzazuleada" narrative was finally being buried.
The Penalty That Changed Everything
Football is cruel. In the final minute of regulation, Rodolfo Rotondi brought down Álvaro Fidalgo in the box. It felt like a replay of the May final. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Rodrigo Aguirre, the Uruguayan striker who had been a revelation for Las Águilas, stepped up.
He didn't blink. 4–3.
América advanced to their third straight final, and Cruz Azul fans were left wondering how a record-breaking season ended in yet another heartbreak against their biggest rival. It's the kind of loss that sticks with a fanbase for years. You’ve got the best team in league history statistically, and you still can’t get past the yellow shirts.
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Why Does Everyone Search for the Clausura Semifinal?
The confusion usually stems from how dominant both teams were throughout the year. In the Clausura 2024, they were the clear 1 and 2 seeds. Because they met in the final on May 26th, many fans misremember the bracket and think they played a round earlier.
In that May final, it was a 1–1 draw in the first leg followed by a 1–0 América win at the Azteca. Henry Martín scored the winner from the spot. It was América's 15th title.
Tactical Breakdown: Jardine vs. Anselmi
If you really want to understand the América vs Cruz Azul semifinal 2024 dynamics, you have to look at the managers. Martín Anselmi turned Cruz Azul into a machine. They played a high-pressing, possession-heavy style that suffocated teams.
But Jardine is a tournament specialist. He knows how to sit back, soak up the pressure, and exploit the specific spaces Cruz Azul leaves behind when their wing-backs push too high. In the December semi, América specifically targeted the space behind Rotondi and Jorge Sánchez.
- América’s Strategy: Direct play, long balls to bypass the press, and clinical finishing.
- Cruz Azul’s Strategy: Overloading the midfield and using Carlos Rodríguez to dictate the tempo.
It’s a clash of philosophies that makes this rivalry the best in Mexico right now. One team wants to control the ball; the other wants to control the result.
What You Should Take Away
If you're betting on or following these teams in 2026, keep these things in mind. First, regular-season records mean almost nothing when the Liguilla starts. Cruz Azul was the "best" team of 2024, but América won the trophies.
Second, the psychological edge is real. América has now eliminated or beaten Cruz Azul in the playoffs seven times this century. Until La Máquina can win a high-stakes knockout game against them, that "Cruzazulear" ghost will keep hovering over the stadium.
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To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the injury reports for the next Clasico Joven. These games are usually decided by whoever has their veteran leaders like Henry Martín or Ignacio Rivero healthy and on the pitch. The tactical gap between the two is closing, but the mental gap still seems to favor the guys in Coapa.
For more detailed stats on individual player performances from those 2024 matches, check out the official Liga MX match center or historical archives on Transfermarkt. Comparing the xG (expected goals) from the 4–3 semifinal tells a much closer story than the final score suggests.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch the Highlights: Search for "América vs Cruz Azul Apertura 2024 Semifinal" to see the Richard Sánchez goal—it's mandatory viewing for any Liga MX fan.
- Monitor the Bracket: As the current season progresses, look at the potential for another playoff meeting; the "Curse" is the biggest storyline in Mexican sports.
- Check Seeding Rules: Remember that in Liga MX, the higher seed advances in case of an aggregate tie (except in the final), which is why that last-minute Aguirre penalty was so devastating for Cruz Azul.