Cruz Azul defeats Toluca and takes the Champion of Champions

With a goal in injury time, Chivas achieved its first victory in the Apertura 2026. It was 0-1 against the Bravos de Juárez, in a match where the Rebaño Sagrado dominated but lacked forcefulness.

When the clock showed less than 30 seconds left, Roberto ‘Piojo’ Alvarado appeared in the center of the area to define. The goal was possible thanks to a cross from Ricardo Marín, who received a pass from Efraín Álvarez. Alvarado, with a subtle touch, beat goalkeeper Sebastián Jurado, who had had a solid performance.

A start with ups and downs

Chivas had debuted at home with a loss against Toluca. The pressure grew, and the team led by the Argentine strategist needed to add three. Although the performance was superior to that of its rival, the lack of clarity in attack was evident. The coach moved pieces during the match until he found the combination that would unlock the scoreboard.

The semi-final reached in the previous tournament, added to the participation of several players in the World Cup, generated high expectations for this season. However, the start has been complicated. Yesterday, against a defensively organized Juárez, Chivas had to wait until the end to celebrate.

The Sacred Flock comes into this semester as one of the candidates for the title, along with the current champion Cruz Azul. But he needs to improve his effectiveness if he wants to fight for the crown.

Key fact: 0-1 was the final score, with a goal in the 90+5 minute.

River Plate stumbles at home

River Plate began the Clausura Tournament with a 1-0 loss to Barracas Central at the Monumental. The only goal was the work of Gonzalo Morales at 21 minutes.

It was the first victory of the club chaired by Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia against the millionaires in official matches.

The match marked the debut of Nicolás Otamendi and Ángel Correa with River. Otamendi, runner-up in the world, returned to Argentine football after 16 years abroad and was captain. The Colombian Rafael Santos Borré also returned after five seasons. Both were starters under the direction of Ariel Broggi, who replaced the suspended Eduardo Coudet.

Before the start, Otamendi and Gonzalo Montiel received recognition for their participation in the world champion team in Qatar 2022.

Domination without a goal

River was imprecise and did not find clarity in front of the goal. Barracas went into the break with an advantage thanks to a play by Rodrigo Insúa: his shot was cleared by Santiago Beltrán, but the ball went to Morales to score.

In the second half, River could not tie against an opponent who defended and managed time. The best opportunity was a free kick by Facundo Colidio that hit the crossbar in the 54th minute. Correa entered at 66 in place of Colidio.

“The responsibility is always ours. We have to continue working,” Otamendi declared on TV. “I understand people’s anger. We are in the best club in Argentina. We lacked patience. Generate scoring chances.”

Other results

Newell’s Old Boys defeated Talleres 1-0 with a penalty from Matías Cóccaro in the 54th minute. It was Jorge Sampaoli’s debut as Talleres coach in the first division. The visitor Román Riquelme was sent off at 85.

Estudiantes de Río Cuarto, in the relegation zone, beat Tigre 1-0 with a goal from Sergio Ojeda. Lanús beat San Lorenzo 1-0 with a goal from Colombian Yoshan Valois in the 64th.

Heading to Brazil 2027

The Women’s World Cup will be held next summer in Brazil. Spain, current champion, arrives as the best ranked team in the world. In the Sydney 2023 final, they beat England 1-0. Their squad includes Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas, as well as the young Salma Paralluelo.

Rodri, a figure on the men’s team, praised Bonmatí after winning the men’s World Cup: “I’m trying to see if I can reach his level.”

The United States, four-time champions but eliminated in the round of 16 in 2023, is in second place in the ranking. They will host Spain in two friendlies in October, in preparation for CONCACAF qualifying in November.

“We know that Spain is an incredible team. I played against these players in the Champions League and I know how good they are,” said American midfielder Lily Yohannes.

The road to the tournament

Fourteen teams have already secured their ticket. Host Brazil has never won the women’s tournament. Former defender Aline Pellegrino, executive director of the World Cup, said: “Some time ago opportunities were not equal, but that is changing. This World Cup has enormous potential for that change.”

Brazilian captain Marta, all-time top scorer (122 goals), will be 41 years old during the tournament. He retired from the national team after the Paris Olympics, but returned for the Copa América.

The United States visited Brazil in June: they lost 2-1 in São Paulo and won 1-0 in Fortaleza. Coach Emma Hayes said the team needed “moments of chaos” in a hostile environment.

Classified teams

Australia, the Philippines, Japan, North Korea, China, South Korea, Argentina, Colombia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Spain and Denmark are already in. Germany, champions in 2003 and 2011, is in third place in the ranking.

Eight cities that hosted the 2014 men’s World Cup will host women’s matches: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife and Salvador.

This will be the last women’s World Cup with 32 teams; In 2031 it will increase to 48. It is expected that this edition will be organized by the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica, with a formal decision in November.