Sepúlveda leads Cruz Azul to Champions Cup Round of 16 | OneFootball

MEXICO CITY – Cruz Azul earned a 5-nil win against Real Hope FA in the second leg of their Round One series, winning 7-nil on aggregate, as the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup continued Tuesday at Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City, Mexico.Ángel Sepúlveda opened the scoring for the hosts in the 21' and secured his brace shortly after in the 24', extending Cruz Azul’s advantage on aggregate by four. Sepúlveda also scored in the first leg, bringing his tally in the 2025 edition to three.

Sepúlveda also led La Máquina with seven shots, the most for a Cruz Azul player in a CCC match since 2020, when Lucas Passerini recorded eight attempts against Portmore United.

Gabriel Fernández penned his name in the scoresheet in the 26' with a left-footed strike from outside the box.

Cruz Azul is the first team to score three goals in the first 30 minutes of a CCC match in over three years, when CF Monterrey did so against Cruz Azul in the 2021 semifinals. The Mexico City side was the last team prior to accomplish that feat against Arcahaie in the Round of 16 of the 2021 edition.

Andrés Gudiño made a timely stop in the 44’ to deny a header from Angelo Exilus. Gudiño made another save in the 45'+1 to stop a penalty kick attempt from Exilus.

Exilus led Real Hope with two shots, four touches in the opposition’s box, five dribbles attempted, eight duels won, and four fouls won.

Andrés Montaño struck a left-footed rocket of his own in the 60' as La Máquina showed no signs of slowing down.

Fernández completed his brace in the 75', using his footwork to drive into the box and strike a right-footed finish.

Cruz Azul obtained its third consecutive home clean sheet in the Concacaf Champions Cup, winning twice and drawing once. It marks the longest run without conceding at home since a run of four straight games between 2014 and 2021.

With the victory, Cruz Azul advanced to the Round of 16 and awaits the winner of the series between Seattle Sounders FC and Antigua GFC.