Cruz Azul clinch Liguilla Semifinal spot after draw with Querétaro

Cruz Azul clinched their spot in the 2018 Liga MX Apertura Semifinals after a 1-1 draw at home to Querétaro. La Máquina won the First Leg 2-0 and went through on a 3-1 aggregate scoreline.

Cruz Azul took the lead after just four minutes when Elias Hernandez skipped his way into the box before unleashing a gorgeous right footed strike past Tiago Volpi.

Pedro Caixinha’s men continued to threaten on the counter, but La Máquina’s lack of finishing ensured the half ended with the Gallos Blancos down by just one, though needing to score at least three goals to progress.

At the restart, Querétaro went on the offensive, and in the 60th minute, thanks to a little help from VAR, Luis Romero’s header off a corner was deemed across the line to put the visitors within two goals of their objetive.

Romero’s goal wouldn’t be the last time VAR would be used. With 10 minutes remaining in the game, the match official called a penalty for Cruz Azul, only to reverse the call moments later to call an apparent foul on the lead up to the penalty.

Querétaro failed to grab any momentum afterwards and had to settle for a Quarterfinals elimination at the hands of the “superlíder”.

Cruz Azul now await to see who their next opponent will be, which will be between Toluca, Tigres UANL, Monterrey, or Santos Laguna.