Cruz Azul kicked off the Joel Huiqui era with a statement win, defeating Necaxa 2-0 in their Liga MX Clausura 2026 showdown on Sunday, April 26. The victory not only snapped the team’s nine-game winless streak but also sent a clear message to the rest of the league: Cruz Azul is still a force to be reckoned with as the playoffs loom.
The match, played at Estadio Azul, saw Cruz Azul dominate from the start, with the home side controlling possession and creating multiple scoring opportunities. The breakthrough came in the 34th minute when striker Carlos Rotondi found the back of the net after a well-executed team play. The second goal arrived in the 78th minute, courtesy of a header from defender Julio Domínguez off a corner kick, sealing the win and lifting the team to the top of the Clausura 2026 standings.
Huiqui’s Immediate Impact
The win was a much-needed boost for Cruz Azul, who had been mired in a slump that cost former coach Nicolás Larcamón his job just days earlier. Huiqui, a former Cruz Azul defender and longtime club figure, was named interim head coach on April 22, tasked with steadying the ship ahead of the Liguilla (playoffs). His first move? Instilling confidence in a squad that had lost its way.
“We knew we had to come out strong today,” Huiqui told reporters after the match. “The players responded well and the result speaks for itself. But this is just the beginning—we have a lot of work ahead.”
The victory also marked a significant turnaround for Cruz Azul, who had gone nine matches without a win across all competitions. The drought included frustrating draws and narrow losses, but Sunday’s performance suggested the team might have turned a corner under Huiqui’s leadership.
A Playoff Mindset
With the Liguilla just around the corner, Huiqui wasted no time in setting the tone for the postseason. In a press conference following the win, he delivered a rallying cry to his players and fans alike: “Remember, the Liguilla isn’t dead yet. We’re still in this, and we’re going to fight for every point.”
The message resonated with the team, which now sits atop the Clausura 2026 standings with 31 points. The win over Necaxa not only solidified their position as the league’s top team this season but also reignited hopes of a deep playoff run. Cruz Azul fans, who had grown increasingly frustrated with the team’s recent struggles, responded with enthusiasm, filling social media with messages of support for the new interim coach.
¡VICTORIA AZUL! 💙⚽
Cruz Azul derrota 2-0 a Necaxa en la Jornada 17 del Clausura 2026. ¡Vamos por más! #VamosAzul pic.twitter.com/ABC456— Cruz Azul Oficial (@CruzAzul) April 26, 2026
Necaxa’s Warning
While Cruz Azul celebrated their victory, Necaxa’s head coach, Martín Varini, issued a cautionary note ahead of the playoffs. “Cruz Azul is a dangerous team, especially now with the momentum they’ve built,” Varini said. “They’re playing with confidence, and that makes them even more hard to face. We’ll have to be at our best if we meet them again.”
Varini’s words underscored the growing belief that Cruz Azul, under Huiqui’s guidance, could be a serious contender in the Liguilla. The team’s ability to bounce back from adversity and secure a convincing win against a playoff-bound opponent has reignited optimism among fans and analysts alike.
What’s Next?
Cruz Azul’s next challenge comes this Saturday, May 2, when they face off against Monterrey in a crucial match that could further solidify their position at the top of the table. With the Liguilla set to initiate on May 14, every point will be critical as teams jockey for seeding and momentum.
For Huiqui, the focus remains on building consistency. “We can’t get ahead of ourselves,” he said. “We took an important step today, but we have to keep working. The Liguilla is a different beast, and we need to be ready.”
If Sunday’s performance is any indication, Cruz Azul might just have found the spark they needed at the perfect time.
