Cruz Azul delivered a stunning performance in front of their passionate home fans, thrashing Canada’s Vancouver Whitecaps 5-0 in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario. With this emphatic victory, the Mexican giants clinched their seventh continental title, tying their arch-rivals Club América as the most successful teams in the tournament’s 60-year history.
A One-Sided Affair
From the opening whistle, Cruz Azul dominated proceedings. Captain Ignacio Rivero broke the deadlock just eight minutes in, calmly slotting home a precise pass from Carlos Rotondi. Lorenzo Faravelli doubled the lead with a spectacular long-range strike in the 28th minute, before Ángel Sepúlveda made it 3-0 with a close-range finish in the 38th minute.
Polish striker Mateusz Bogusz added a fourth just before halftime, and Sepúlveda sealed his brace with a powerful header early in the second half, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with nine goals.
Vancouver’s Struggles
Vancouver, the first Canadian team to reach the final in over a decade, failed to register a single shot on target throughout the match. Their hopes of making history were crushed by Cruz Azul’s relentless attack and solid defense.
Danish coach Jesper Sørensen admitted his team’s disappointment, telling reporters, “We came here with hope, ambition, and dreams. Right now, there’s frustration and devastation.”
Sanchez Focused on Future
Under manager Vicente Sánchez, who took charge in January, Cruz Azul has enjoyed a resurgence. Despite rumors of his potential departure, Sánchez remained focused on the task at hand, saying, “My only priority is to repay the trust the club has shown in me.”
With this victory, Cruz Azul has also secured a spot in the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, further cementing their legacy in North American football.
The win marks a triumphant return to continental glory for La Máquina, who now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with América as the kings of CONCACAF.
