Cruz Azul rout Club América 5-2

Cruz Azul thumped ten-man Club América 5-2 at the Estadio Azteca for their biggest win over their crosstown rivals since the 2014 Apertura. After going to down to ten men in the 51st minute, Las Águilas looked a shadow of the side that embarrassed Chivas last week in the Clásico Nacional.

Heavily criticized throughout the week and needing three points to stay alive in the fight for the Liguilla, Cruz Azul took an early lead in the 16th minute when Julio Cesar Dominguez headed home from a Yoshimar Yotun corner.

But Las Águilas eventually found their footing and in a span of four minutes turned the game on its head, with Guido Rodriguez and Henry Martin both beating Jose de Jesus Corona from long range efforts.

Six minutes into the second half, Roger Martinez brought down Rafael Baca and was justifiably sent off for an below to the face. The moment proved crucial for Las Águilas, who would immediately lose control of the match.

On 53 minutes, former América man Pablo Aguilar rose above his defender to equalize the match at two goals apiece. It then didn’t take long for Cruz Azul to take the lead when Roberto Alvarado got on the end of a Yotun free kick to put the score 3-2 in favor of La Máquina.

Cruz Azul added to América’s misery after more bad defending allowed Orbelin Pineda to hit their fourth.

Finally, Jonathan Rodriguez put the cherry on top after a delightful finish past Guillermo Ochoa sealed the game 5-2 for La Máquina.