River Plate falls to Barracas Central at the start of the Clausura

Cruz Azul is crowned Mexican soccer super champion

Cruz Azul defeated Antonio Mohamed’s Toluca 3-1 at the Dignity Health Sports Park, in Los Angeles. With this victory, he was left with the Champion of Champions and confirmed his dominance in national football.

José Paradela and Carlos Rodríguez were the figures of the meeting. Paradela opened the scoring in the 31st minute, after an assist from Rodríguez. Toluca tied at 45+4′ with a free kick from Alexis Vega. However, at 55′, the light blue duo combined again: Rodríguez assisted Paradela to make it 2-1.

The second goal unleashed the absolute control of Cruz Azul. In the 61st minute, Paradela executed a direct free kick that goalkeeper Luis García could not stop. The score of 3-1 defined the match and left the Red Devils without reaction.

With this title, the team led by Joel Huiqui confirms its status as the best team of the moment. They are the current champions of Liga MX and now also super champions. In the Apertura 2026 they have two consecutive victories.

Cruz Azul is emerging as a strong candidate for the two-time championship. The superiority shown on the field in Los Angeles leaves no doubt about his present.

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.

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.