Cruz Azul vs América Preview: The Clásico Joven Is Back | OneFootball

There are rivalries. There are grudges. And then there is El Clásico Joven.

Cruz Azul and América will meet again on Saturday, September 12, adding another chapter to one of Mexican soccer’s most entertaining — and occasionally chaotic — rivalries.

The story officially began on August 30, 1964, when the two clubs met for the first time at Estadio 10 de Diciembre in Ciudad Cooperativa Cruz Azul, Hidalgo. At the time, nobody knew they were watching the opening scene of what would become one of Liga MX’s defining rivalries.

Eight years later, things got serious.

On July 9, 1972, Cruz Azul and América met in the first-ever final between the two clubs. La Máquina did not exactly ask for permission before making history, winning the one-game final 4-1 and claiming the championship.

Cruz Azul may have won the first final, but América has spent much of the decades since collecting enough trophies and bragging rights to make sure nobody forgets who has had the better overall run.

Match Details

The latest edition of the Clásico Joven takes place on Saturday, September 12, at Estadio Azteca. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:15pm local time (11:15pm ET / 8:15pm PT).

Cruz Azul will technically be the home team, but considering both clubs share the iconic venue, calling one side the “visitor” is mostly a matter of paperwork.

The stakes are high for both. Cruz Azul will be looking to make a statement against its biggest rival, while América enters the game trying to shake off the disappointment of finishing fourth in the 2026 Leagues Cup.

Match History

Recent history suggests this rivalry has been anything but predictable. Since the Clausura 2024 final, the two clubs have played 10 times, with three América wins, three Cruz Azul wins and four draws.

But when the regular-season calendar disappears and the knockout drama begins, América has generally found a way to survive. Three of those 10 meetings were knockout series: the Clausura 2024 final, the Apertura 2024 semifinal and the May 2025 semifinal.

América came out on top in all three, winning the Clausura 2024 title and reaching the final in the other two.

So yes, Cruz Azul can bring up the first Clásico Joven final in 1972.América will probably bring up the more recent receipts.

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The numbers favor América

Since 1996, the clubs have faced each other 82 times.América has won 33, Cruz Azul has won 22, and there have been 27 draws.The goal difference tells a similar story: América has scored 114 goals, compared with 99 for Cruz Azul.

That doesn’t mean Saturday’s game comes with a predetermined script. If soccer worked that way, we’d all be unemployed by now.

Still, the historical numbers give the Águilas plenty of ammunition.

Cruz Azul, however, has made the recent regular-season meetings considerably less comfortable for América. In the last five league encounters, the Águilas have managed just one victory.

Cruz Azul’s reinforcements

La Máquina could receive some important boosts ahead of the derby.

According to Joel Huiqui, Gonzalo Piovi is expected to be available for the match, while Carlos Rotondi could also see minutes.

Erik Lira is another option after returning to full team training following his failed move to Monaco.

Cruz Azul has also welcomed back Rodolfo Rotondi and Juan José Calero, both of whom have missed a significant portion of the Apertura 2026 because of injuries.

Their return gives Huiqui more options heading into a game where having bodies on the bench can be almost as valuable as having quality on the pitch.

América gets Malagón back

Guillermo Almada also has some good news. Luis Malagón is available again after recovering from the torn Achilles tendon in his left leg that he suffered in March. That’s a pretty significant return for the league leaders.

Alejandro Zendejas could also be in contention. The Mexico-American forward has yet to play for América since undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee following the 2026 World Cup. If Zendejas returns, Almada suddenly has another weapon for a game that rarely lacks fireworks.

América arrives as the Apertura 2026 leaders, sitting on 16 points from six matches, with one game still in hand. In other words: the Águilas have plenty of momentum.

Cruz Azul will be hoping the Clásico Joven has its usual way of making momentum completely irrelevant.

How to watch Cruz Azul vs América

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