By Reinaldo Oliveros
02 Dec 2024, 15:28 PM EST
The Apertura 2024 has reached its final stretch, and the semifinals promise overflowing emotions with two keys that face historical figures and surprises of Mexican soccer.
The matches will feature Cruz Azul against América, a repeat of the last Clausura 2024 final. and an unprecedented clash between Monterrey and Atlético de San Luis.
Blue Cross vs. America: Historical rivalry in Liguilla
In this key, Cruz Azul and América rekindle one of the most iconic rivalries in Mexican soccer. It will be the ninth time in short tournaments that both capital teams face each other in a direct elimination phase.
However, history does not smile on the Celeste Machine: the Eagles have emerged victorious in seven of those eight previous keys.
The only celestial triumph dates back to Winter 1999, when Cruz Azul eliminated América in the semifinals with an aggregate score of 2-1thanks to the goals of Diego Latorre and Francisco Palencia.
Since then, the azulcremas have been the recurring executioner of the Machine in Liguilla, including three finals that left deep scars on cement fans.
América, under the direction of André Jardine, seeks to impose its hierarchy and ensure its passage to a new final, while Cruz Azul, led by Joaquín Moreno, will try to break the azulcrema hegemony and rewrite history.
- First leg: Thursday, December 5 at 8:00 p.m. at the Ciudad de los Deportes Stadium.
- Return: Sunday, December 8 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ciudad de los Deportes Stadium.
Monterrey vs. Atlético de San Luis: The debut of a new rivalry
On the other hand, the semifinal between Monterrey and Atlético de San Luis represents an unprecedented chapter in the Mexican soccer Liguilla.
Despite being their first match in this instance, the Rayados have a clear historical advantage in regular phase matches, with six wins against three of the Las Las Tunas team, in addition to a draw.
Monterrey arrives with the mission of breaking a drought in the semifinals that dates back to 2019. In the last five years, the people from Monterrey have fallen in this phase against Cruz Azul, Tigres and Pachuca.
Their last victory in this instance was against Necaxa in the Clausura 2019, a tournament in which they ended up being crowned champions after beating América in the final.
For its part, Atlético de San Luis is the surprise team of the tournament. The Las Tunas are playing only their second semifinal in the history of the First Division, after having lost to América in the Apertura 2023.
- First leg: Wednesday, December 4 at 9:00 p.m. at the Alfonso Lastras Stadium.
- Return: Saturday, December 7 at 8:00 p.m. at the BBVA Stadium.
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