Rain was pouring down on the Estadio Azteca. It felt like a movie, honestly. The kind where the hero is about to win or everything is about to fall apart. For fans of Las Águilas and La Máquina, that Sunday night in May was a heart-stopper. If you’ve followed Liga MX for any amount of time, you know that Final America vs Cruz Azul 2024 wasn't just another game. It was a collision of history, ghosts, and a whole lot of VAR drama.
Most people look at the scoreline and see a 1-0 win for América. But that doesn't even begin to cover the chaos.
The Setup: A Rivalry Reborn
The first leg at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes ended 1-1. Uriel Antuna put Cruz Azul ahead with a penalty, but Julián Quiñones leveled it up almost immediately. It set the stage for a winner-take-all second leg. América was chasing the "bicampeonato"—the rare back-to-back titles—while Cruz Azul was desperate to exorcise the demons of 2013 and 2018.
Coach Martín Anselmi had turned Cruz Azul into a machine. They played beautiful, tactical soccer. On the other side, André Jardine had turned América into a pragmatic winning juggernaut.
The atmosphere? Electric.
The stakes? Massive.
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The Moment Everything Changed
For 70 minutes, it was a stalemate. Cruz Azul was actually playing better. They had possession. They were probing. Malagón, the América keeper, was forced into some truly heroic saves, specifically a flying stop against a header from Angel Sepúlveda that looked destined for the top corner.
Then came the 71st minute.
Israel Reyes went down in the box after a challenge from Rodolfo Rotondi. The referee, Marco Antonio Ortiz, pointed to the spot. The stadium exploded, but the Cruz Azul players were livid. They argued that Reyes dragged his foot to initiate contact.
The VAR Drama
Honestly, it felt like the VAR review lasted a lifetime. You could see the tension on the faces of every fan in the stands. Referee Ortiz eventually went to the monitor. In Liga MX, when a ref goes to the screen, they usually stick with their call, and that's exactly what happened.
Henry Martín stepped up. He’s the captain. The pressure was suffocating. He hammered it into the top corner.
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1-0.
Cruz Azul threw everything they had at the goal in the final fifteen minutes. They sent the keeper up for corners. They whipped in crosses. But the Águilas defense, led by Igor Lichnovsky and Ramón Juárez, held firm. When the final whistle blew, the Azteca turned into a yellow sea of celebration.
Why This Final Still Sparks Arguments
You can't talk about Final America vs Cruz Azul 2024 without mentioning the controversy. Even months later, if you walk into a bar in Mexico City, people are still debating that penalty.
- The Pro-América View: Rotondi was reckless. He slid in, didn't get the ball, and left his leg out. In modern soccer, that’s a foul every single time.
- The Pro-Cruz Azul View: Reyes was looking for it. He saw the leg and made sure he tripped. Without that "soft" call, the game probably goes to extra time.
There were other factors, too. Malagón’s performance was arguably the real reason América won. He was the Man of the Match for a reason. Without his three world-class saves, the penalty wouldn't have even mattered because Cruz Azul would have been up by two.
Actionable Takeaways for Liga MX Fans
If you're looking back at this match to understand the current state of Mexican soccer, here’s what you should keep in mind:
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Watch the Referee Assignments
Marco Antonio Ortiz, known as "El Gato," became a polarizing figure after this match. Following how the league assigns referees for "Clásicos" can give you a hint about how much physical play will be allowed.
Study the Defensive High Line
Anselmi’s Cruz Azul lost because of one transition moment. If you're betting or analyzing games, look at how teams like Toluca or Tigres try to replicate that high-pressure style against América’s counter-attack.
The "Malagón Factor"
Luis Malagón proved he is the rightful heir to Memo Ochoa. In high-stakes finals, the goalkeeper’s form is often more important than the striker’s.
The 2024 Clausura final cemented América as the dominant force of this decade. It also proved that "Cruzazulear" isn't quite dead, though this loss felt more like a "stolen" moment than a self-inflicted collapse. Whether you think the penalty was fair or a total gift, you can't deny the sheer drama of that night.