Final 1987 vs América
The Cement Machine of Mexican football.
Cruz Azul is a Mexican professional football club based in Mexico City, founded in 1927 in Jasso, Hidalgo. The club competes in Liga MX and plays its home matches at Estadio Azteca.
- Venue_Series
- Estadio Azteca (first leg), Estadio Azteca (second leg)
Lore & Background
Cruz Azul was founded in the late 1920s in Jasso, Hidalgo, by the cement cooperative Cooperativa La Cruz Azul. The club relocated to Mexico City in 1971. It has won ten league titles, four Copa MX, and holds the joint-record for the most CONCACAF Champions Cup/Champions League titles (seven). The club is known for its long-standing rivalry with América, the Clásico Joven.
In Their Own Story
The air inside Estadio Azul was thick with anticipation as the blue sea of fans roared in unison. The pitch, a perfect emerald under the floodlights, seemed to shrink between the two giants. As the referee blew the whistle for the second leg, the tension was palpable; every pass from América felt like a threat, but the Cruz Azul defense stood like an immovable wall. In that moment, history wasn't just being written; it was being forged in the sweat and grit of men determined to bring another trophy home.
Reader's Guide
The 1987 final second leg against América was played at Estadio Azteca.
Did You Know?
- Cruz Azul is one of only seven Mexican clubs to have never been relegated from the top flight.
- The club achieved a continental treble in the 1968–69 season, becoming the first CONCACAF club and third worldwide to do so.
- Cruz Azul was named the 71st-best club in the world and the highest-ranked in CONCACAF for the 2025 calendar year by the IFFHS in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the 1987 Final between Cruz Azul and América?
This Liga MX championship clash featured the dominant Celestes facing off against their historic city rivals, Club América. The competition was played across Estadio Azul and Estadio Olímpico Universitario during a time when Cruz Azul ruled Mexican football.
Who emerged as champions in this classic matchup?
Cruz Azul secured the title after winning the decisive second leg to become champions. This victory crowned their second consecutive dynasty in Mexican football history.
Which key players defined the tactical battle?
The series is defined by the battle between América star Hugo Sánchez and the organized Cruz Azul defense tasked with stopping him. Their individual performances showcased the strategic brilliance required to win this high-stakes tournament.
Why is this specific final considered so important?
Fans revere this match for the intense competition between rivals and the high stakes involved during that golden era. It remains a defining moment when Cruz Azul overcame their arch-rivals to claim another league crown.
How did the two-leg series ultimately conclude?
The tournament ended with Cruz Azul claiming victory in the second leg, shutting down América's title hopes at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario. This outcome confirmed the Celestes as the dominant force within Mexican football during that specific period.
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Elsewhere in the Cruz Azul universe
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