In a dominant display of football at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc on November 1, Cruz Azul humbled Puebla with a convincing 3-0 win, further solidifying their status as one of Liga MX's top contenders. The result marked a stark contrast between the two teams, with Cruz Azul sitting comfortably in third place and Puebla languishing in 18th, desperately seeking points in their fight against relegation.
As the match kicked off, the anticipation was palpable. Just moments into the game, fans buzzing about potential heroics from Luis Gabriel Rey quickly turned to a familiar refrain of disappointment. The superstition surrounding Puebla's home ground seemed to haunt them once again as they struggled to maintain control. Cruz Azul, coming off a solid victory against Monterrey, was ready to capitalize on any mistakes.
The first breakthrough came in the 33rd minute when Mateusz Bogusz found the net, providing Cruz Azul with an early advantage. The goal seemed to deflate Puebla, whose recent performances, including a thrilling 4-4 draw against FC Juárez, had offered a glimmer of hope. Instead of leveraging that momentum, Puebla's insecurities at the back began to unravel under the pressure exerted by Cruz Azul, who took command of the midfield.
After halftime, the game continued to tilt in Cruz Azul's favor. Just twelve minutes in, in the 57th minute, Jeremy Márquez added another goal to the scoreline, effectively pushing Puebla further into desperation. The host team had shown flashes of offensive flair earlier in the match, but as each goal fell against them, those moments became fewer and further between. The clock was ticking down, and the hope of a comeback faded with every minute.
In a final stamp of authority, Omar Campos scored in the 84th minute, sealing the deal with a third goal that left no doubts about the outcome. Cruz Azul's clinical finishing and strategic play outclassed Puebla, whose defensive woes were painfully evident throughout the match.
When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard reflected a painful reality for Puebla: 0-3 against a rival that highlighted their ongoing struggles. With this formidable loss, Puebla remains entrenched at the bottom of the standings, now with only nine points after 15 games-two wins and ten losses. Their defensive line has become a worrying trend, conceding goals at alarming rates, and raising concerns about their ability to mount a serious challenge to avoid relegation.
On the other side, Cruz Azul celebrated another triumphant evening, marking their ninth league victory to gather 32 points from 15 matches. With this win, they consolidated their hold on playoff positions, and the team looks poised to maintain this level of performance as they aim for a championship run.
Looking ahead, Puebla faces a challenging match at Leon on November 9, where they desperately need to turn their fortunes around and find the form that had eluded them this season. Cruz Azul, meanwhile, is set to host U.N.A.M. - Pumas on the same day, entering that match with renewed confidence and a clearer vision of their aspirations.
As we reflect on the match, the gap between these two teams couldn't be clearer. While Cruz Azul continues its pursuit of glory, Puebla is left grappling with the urgent need for improvement. Perhaps my earlier prediction of a potential upset fueled by Rey's prowess was a bit too optimistic, considering the current trajectories of both teams. In the unpredictable theatre of Liga MX, however, hope springs eternal, albeit dimly for Puebla at the moment.