Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna

Cruz Azul needed almost the entire ninety minutes to find a way past a stubborn Santos Laguna at Estadio Banorte, finally breaking through in stoppage time to seal a 1-0 win in Matchday 7 of the Apertura 2026. For long stretches it looked like the hosts would be held to a frustrating draw despite dominating the ball. José Paradela, introduced off the bench alongside Erik Lira and Gabriel Fernández, delivered the only goal in the 89th minute with a powerful strike that finally cracked Santos' deep defensive block. Before that, Cruz Azul's front line led by Nicolás Ibáñez had struggled to create clear chances, while Santos goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo was rarely troubled. No cards or penalties marred the contest. The win pushes Cruz Azul to 12 points and a second straight victory, building momentum ahead of their Clásico Joven clash with América on September 12. For Santos Laguna, it's a seventh match without a win, leaving them stuck on just one point and facing a mounting relegation-form crisis.