Mumbai, April 9: Striker Angel Sepulveda scored twice, including a late winner, as Cruz Azul beat crosstown rival America 2-1 on Tuesday to progress to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals. Sepulveda scored his goals in the 12th and 85th minutes to help la Maquina move into a semifinal against Tigres. On the other side of the bracket, Inter Miami plays LA FC and Pumas faces the Vancouver Whitecaps. Nathan Ordaz Scores, Los Angeles FC Blanks Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 1–0 in 1st Leg of CONCACAF Champions Cup 2024–25.

Cruz Azul eliminated America in the knockout stage for the first time in 12 years and will be bidding for its seventh CONCACAF title. That would equal America as the most successful club in the region.

Spanish midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo, who had a brief stint with Real Madrid, scored in the 57th for las Aguilas. For America, the team with the highest payroll in Mexico, it was another missed chance to win the CONCACAF title for the first time since 2016. A year ago, the club America lost in the semifinals to Pachuca. Los Angeles FC Fans Display 'Pessi' Flag to Tease Lionel Messi During LAFC vs Inter Miami CONCACAF Champions Cup 2024-25 Quarterfinal Match At BMO Stadium (See Pics).

It was the first time in nine series that America was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup. With the win, Cruz Azul avenged a recent losses to America in the final of the 2024 Clausura tournament and in the semifinals of the 2024 Apertura.

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