The Clásico Joven, or “Young Classic,” is one of Mexico’s most intense football rivalries. It features two of Liga MX’s most successful clubs: Club América and Cruz Azul. The rivalry began in the early 1970s when Cruz Azul moved to Mexico City and became a serious challenger to América’s dominance. Since then, every match between these two teams has carried massive emotional and competitive weight for fans.
The term “Clásico Joven” was coined because this rivalry is younger compared to other traditional derbies in Mexico, like the Clásico Nacional between América and Chivas. But make no mistake — this matchup has grown into one of the most explosive and high-profile showdowns in Mexican football.
Why Is This Rivalry So Big?
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Cultural Background: Club América is seen as the “elite” or “corporate” team, backed by media giant Televisa. In contrast, Cruz Azul has working-class roots, historically tied to the cement company that founded the team.
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City Pride: Both teams share Mexico City, making this a local derby with city bragging rights.
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Historical Drama: From penalty shootouts in finals to controversial referee calls, this rivalry has seen it all.
Quote from Former Player
“El Clásico Joven isn’t just another game. It’s pride, history, and legacy all in one.” – Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Club América legend
This game often draws huge viewership numbers across North and Latin America. Fans prepare for weeks, stadiums sell out, and players know their careers are judged heavily by how they perform in these fixtures.
| Rivalry Name | Clásico Joven |
|---|---|
| First Official Match | August 1964 (Liga MX) |
| Total Matches | Over 200 official games |
| Shared Stadium | Estadio Azteca |
| Fan Intensity | Extremely high — city rivalry + history |
All-Time Club América vs Cruz Azul Head-to-Head Stats
The Club América vs Cruz Azul stats tell the story of a balanced yet fiercely contested rivalry that has spanned over five decades. In total, these two giants have clashed in over 200 official matches, with Club América slightly edging out Cruz Azul in victories. These encounters include Liga MX regular-season games, playoff matches, CONCACAF tournaments, and domestic finals.
Overall Head-to-Head Record (as of 2025)
| Metric | Club América | Cruz Azul | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 203 | 203 | – |
| Wins | 74 | 61 | 68 |
| Goals Scored | ~280+ | ~250+ | – |
| First Official Match | August 1964 | – | – |
| Most Recent Match (May 2025) | 2–1 (América) | – | – |
Club América has not only won more matches, but they also have scored more goals overall, often asserting dominance in playoff rounds. However, Cruz Azul has had its share of glory, especially in the early 2000s and during their 2021 title run.
Most Memorable Head-to-Head Moments
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1971–72 Final: Cruz Azul beat América 4–1 to win the championship.
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1988–89 Final: América turned around a 3–2 first-leg deficit to win 5–4 on aggregate.
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2013 Clausura Final: One of the most dramatic finales — América equalized in stoppage time and won in penalties.
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2024 Clausura Final: América won another nail-biter on aggregate (2–1).
The intensity of these clashes is heightened by how often they meet in must-win playoff situations, with América usually finding a way through, especially under pressure.
Recent Stats (Last 60–70 Games)
If we zoom in on the modern era — specifically from 2004 to 2025 — the competition remains tight but América continues to maintain the upper hand. In these last 70 games:
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Club América wins: 30
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Cruz Azul wins: 19
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Draws: 21
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Goals scored (América): 88
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Goals scored (Cruz Azul): 67
These numbers showcase América’s more consistent scoring and slightly better win rate. However, Cruz Azul has closed the gap in recent years, especially since their revival in 2021.
Recent 5-Match Results
| Date | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | América 2–1 Cruz Azul | Liga MX Semifinal |
| April 2025 | Cruz Azul 2–1 América | CONCACAF QF |
| Feb 2025 | 0–0 Draw | Liga MX |
| Dec 2024 | América 1–0 Cruz Azul | Liga MX Playoffs |
| Aug 2024 | Cruz Azul 4–1 América | Liga MX |
These results prove that Cruz Azul has gained strength recently, pulling off surprise wins and matching América in defensive resilience. Each game remains unpredictable.
Statistical Breakdown: Goals, Possession, xG, Form
Let’s dive into advanced metrics for the Club América vs Cruz Azul rivalry:
⚽ Goals Per Game & Scoring Trends
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América averages about 1.47 goals/game
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Cruz Azul averages about 1.12 goals/game
Club América’s attack has traditionally been more aggressive and successful. However, Cruz Azul has improved in set-pieces and counters.
📈 Possession and Expected Goals (xG)
Here’s a glimpse into a typical statline from a recent match (April 2025 CONCACAF QF):
| Stat | Club América | Cruz Azul |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 45.2% | 54.8% |
| Total Shots | 8 | 20 |
| xG (Expected Goals) | 0.87 | 1.61 |
| Pass Accuracy | 80% | 85% |
Despite América’s tradition of dominance, Cruz Azul has had matches where they controlled possession and produced higher-quality chances — especially under new tactical setups.
📉 Form Tracker (2023–2025)
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América: WWWDLW
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Cruz Azul: LWWDWL
While América remains more consistent overall, Cruz Azul’s peak performances are more explosive and unpredictable.
High-Stakes Matches: Finals, Semis, and CONCACAF Clashes
This rivalry isn’t just about regular-season games — many of the most dramatic encounters happened in playoffs and finals.
🔥 Top Competitive Clashes
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2024 Clausura Final
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First Leg: Cruz Azul 1–1 América
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Second Leg: América 1–0 Cruz Azul
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Aggregate: 2–1 — Club América wins Liga MX
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2025 Clausura Semi-Finals
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Leg 1: Cruz Azul 1–0 América
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Leg 2: América 2–1 Cruz Azul
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Tiebreak: América advanced due to higher seeding
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2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup QF
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Cruz Azul beat América 2–1 in one of their most dominant performances in recent years
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Cruz Azul fans often point to the 2021 Liga MX win as proof they can overcome their playoff curse, but América has built a habit of snatching wins in dramatic fashion, especially in two-legged series.
Records & Trophy Battles
🎯 Record Wins
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Biggest win for América: 7–0 (2003)
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Biggest win for Cruz Azul: 5–2 (1994)
🏆 Trophies Head-to-Head
| Competition | Club América | Cruz Azul |
|---|---|---|
| Liga MX Titles | 14 | 9 |
| CONCACAF Champions Cups | 7 | 7 |
| Copa MX | 6 | 4 |
The 2024–25 seasons have leveled the CONCACAF tally at 7–7, giving Cruz Azul a major bragging point.
Top Performers: Scorers, Key Players & Managers
Top Scorers in the Rivalry
| Player | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Carlos Hermosillo | 15 | Cruz Azul |
| Cuauhtémoc Blanco | 9 | Club América |
| José Alves “Zague” | 8 | Club América |
Carlos Hermosillo remains the all-time leading scorer in this fixture, dominating during the late ’80s and early ’90s.
🎓 Influential Managers
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Raúl Cárdenas: Coached both clubs to titles
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Ricardo La Volpe: Known for defensive strength with América
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Juan Reynoso: Led Cruz Azul to break a 23-year title drought in 2021
FAQs About Club América vs Cruz Azul Stats
1. What is the current head-to-head record?
As of 2025, Club América leads with 74 wins, Cruz Azul has 61, and there have been 68 draws in over 200 official matches.
2. Who has more titles between Club América and Cruz Azul?
Club América leads with 14 Liga MX titles. Both clubs are now tied in CONCACAF Champions Cups at 7 each.
3. What’s the most recent match result?
In May 2025, América beat Cruz Azul 2–1 in the Clausura Semifinals, progressing due to tiebreak advantage.
4. Who is the top scorer in this rivalry?
Carlos Hermosillo (Cruz Azul) leads all scorers with 15 goals against Club América in official competitions.
5. When is their next game?
The next scheduled match is in October 2025 during the Apertura season. Exact date to be confirmed by Liga MX.
What’s Next? Future Matchups & Trends to Watch
Looking ahead, both teams are preparing for another heated showdown in the Apertura 2025 season, scheduled for October. Cruz Azul’s recent form shows resilience and tactical maturity, while América is continuing its legacy as a playoff powerhouse.
Key things to watch:
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Transfer moves before Apertura 2025
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Coaching changes or tactical tweaks
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Young talents emerging in both squads
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Possibility of another playoff clash in late 2025
This rivalry is far from over — and if history repeats, the next Club América vs Cruz Azul stats sheet will be just as thrilling.
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