Match Centre

Cruz Azul's 1-0 victory was a fair reflection of their territorial and chance creation superiority, despite leaving it late to break Santos Laguna's resistance. The hosts generated 18 shots to Santos Laguna's 8, with a 5-1 advantage in shots on target and nine corners to five – underlining their sustained pressure in the final third. José Paradela's 89th-minute winner, assisted by Andrés Montaño, was the culmination of their 62% possession control.

Santos Laguna's compact 3-4-3 shape limited Cruz Azul mainly to speculative efforts (8 shots outside the box) but couldn't prevent the hosts from creating higher-quality chances (10 shots inside the area vs Santos' 2). The visitors' only notable attacking contribution was a 50th-minute yellow card for Aldo Lopez, indicative of their reactive approach. Cruz Azul's six blocked shots – double Santos' total – demonstrated their persistent probing for openings. The decisive stat? Cruz Azul's goalkeeper made just one save all game, while their opposite number Carlos Acevedo was forced into six.