Clásico Joven: Club América and Cruz Azul draw level at 1-1

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - APRIL 11: Brian Rodriguez of America fights for the ball with Omar Campos of Cruz Azul during the 14th round match between America and Cruz Azul as part of the Torneo Clausura 2026 Liga MX at Banorte Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Agustin Cuevas/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Even before the ball got rolling in the Estadio Banorte, there was controversy as fans were upset over an increase of ticket prices. As fans made their way to the Fanki app they were surprised when they saw just how much they would have to spend to watch their favorite team play. For general seating, AKA the cheapest seats, it would cost $683 pesos (~ $40 USD) while the VIP/Premium seats would cost someone up to $9,113 pesos (~ $526 USD). Not only that, but the parking fee was set at $1,139 pesos (~ $65 USD).

Let’s compare those prices to last season:

Before 2026 Reopening:

• General Seating: $230-$450 pesos (~ $13-$26 USD)
• Middle Zone: $800-$1,500 pesos (~ $46-$86 USD)
• VIP/Premium: $1,500-$3,500 pesos (~ $86-$202 USD)
• Parking: $350 pesos (~$20 USD)

It’s understandable that with the revamp of the stadium the prices would increase but no one expected this. For some of the prices it’s double, even triple the increase. Just the parking itself has been tripled. Since it is the Clasico Joven, that could be one explanation but fans still demand answers from Emilio Azcácarraga and why he would hurt his own fanbase.

América got the ball rolling fast as they had multiple chances to open the score early on. Brian Rodriguez had multiple chances in the first few minutes as he made his way up the left flank. He was dispossessed every time but he made his way into Azul’s area with ease. The visitors committed their first foul of the night two minutes in but it was the third foul that was the most dangerous. Rodriguez was fouled outside of the box and asked for a yellow card from the referee as this was the third time he was fouled in as many minutes but it did not come. The Uruguayan took the shot himself and he shot straight towards the net but Andres Gudiño sent the ball over the crossbar for a corner. Azul was able to defend the corner from any threat. A few minutes later Rodriguez had another opportunity as he made his way into the box but his shot was blocked at the line. The visitors saw their second chance of the night when the Aguilas committed their first foul of the night. Carlos Rotondi sent the ball into the box but it was easily blocked out of the box by the América defense.  In the first 15 minutes América had full control of the game as they had multiple chances at goal and kept Cruz Azul from their goal. Their work paid off in the 17th minute with a Patricio Salas goal. Alejandro Zendejas on the right side sent a ball into the box where Salas got his head onto the ball and sent it towards the net where Gudiño was unable to stop the shot.

Azul attempted to counter immediately when Rotondi made his way up the left flank and he took a shot at goal himself but the shot was weak and Rodolfo Cota easily handled the ball. The first yellow card of the night occurred a few minutes later when Gonzalo Piovo was forced to foul Zendejas before he was able to take off down the right flank. The visitors then had a big chance when they were awarded a foul outside of the box. Agustin Palavecino stepped up to take the free kick but his ball went straight to the hands of Cota. A few minutes later the Banorte Stadium took its first injury victim after Nico Ibañez went down to the ground with a non-contact injury. Upon replay it looked as if it was his right leg, possibly his Achilles, as Cota was making the gesture of ripping a muscle. The player had to be carted off and was unable to put any weight on his leg. Hopefully it’s nothing serious and Ibañez will be able to return quickly.

As the half was winding down it looked like the Aguilas were going to get their second goal of the night but instead it was Cruz Azul who scored. Once again Rotondi made his way up the left flank where he sent the ball into the box as Omar Campos made a run inside the area unmarked and he pushed the ball into the back of the net with his left hip. No Aguilas defender saw Campos coming and just like that the game was tied right before the half.

As the second half began both André Jardine and Nicolas Larcamon decided to make some changes in hopes that the game would go their way. This change seemed to work for Larcamon and his team who took control of the beginning of the second half. Azul were close to a goal minutes in when Rotondi and Carlos Rodriguez combined for an attack on the left side. Rotondi’s pass into the box was kicked out before it reached Campos who wanted another goal. It only took 10 minutes of a relentless Azul attack for Jardine to make two more changes. Lima and Cristian Borja made way for Isaias Violante and Kevin Alvarez. These subs were what the offense needed as both Violante and Alvarez gave the Aguilas a spark. Violante created his first chance as he made his way up the left flank and sent a ball into the area but none of his teammates were there to get on the end of it. Alvarez made his impact immediately as he made his way up the right side but his shot was blocked by the visitors defense. Then Brian Rodriguez decided to take matters into his own hands as he ran up the flank and wove between blue shirts and got a shot off but it went just wide of the far post. Then goal-scorer Salas did the same thing on the next play as he got a shot off towards goal but Gudiño showed his fast reflexes with a one-handed save to stop the ball. The two changes seemed to be what América needed as they took possession of the game. However, the home side just could not find the back of the net no matter how many chances they created. They were in desperate need of a true number nine since Henry Martin has yet to make a full return. It’s not known when he’ll return and if he does how long he will have. Every time he makes his way back he gets re-injured and it takes weeks before he returns again. Jardine and the front office will need to do something to find another number nine because it doesn’t look like they can count on Martin anymore.

The rest of the game went just like that with both teams having chances to take the lead but neither being able to finish any of their chances. Fans were expecting an exciting and explosive game for the return to the stadium but instead they got a lackluster game that was double the price. Neither team is in good condition right now but they have to get it together as both have games coming up this week in the Concacaf Champions Cup. If they both want to continue on, Azul defending their title and América into the semi-finals, they will have to play perfect in order to do so.