Cruz Azul secured a vital victory in Matchday 7 of the Apertura 2026, defeating Santos Laguna 1-0 on September 6th. Originally reported by Record MX, this win pushes La Máquina to 12 points and into sixth place in the standings, fully involved in the fight for the top spots. The cementeros now sit just four points behind the leader, Club America, who have 16 points but have played one fewer game.
How does the Apertura 2026 standings look now?
Cruz Azul's win comes during significant movement at the top of the table. Chivas Guadalajara, after a 3-0 win over Atlético de San Luis, reached 14 points and moved into third, cutting their gap with America to just two points. However, América did not play this round due to Leagues Cup scheduling impacts, along with León, Monterrey, and Toluca. Atlas holds second place with 15 points and also has a game in hand. Toluca and Tijuana are tied for fourth with 13 points each.
The current standings, which you can check on our standings page, show Querétaro, León, and Puebla each on 10 points. Monterrey shares nine points with Cruz Azul. Further down, Pachuca, Pumas, and Necaxa have eight, while Tigres, Atlante, and Atlético de San Luis have six. Santos Laguna, after their loss to La Máquina, remains on a single point, and Juárez is yet to get off the mark.
What does this awakening mean for Cruz Azul?
The victory over Santos Laguna marks a turning point for Martín Anselmi's team. Cruz Azul now has a record of 4 wins and 3 losses from their seven games played, scoring 12 goals and conceding 11 for a +1 goal difference. Most importantly, the team has strung together two consecutive wins, breaking a negative streak and showing tangible improvement. With 12 points, La Máquina is just four behind América and squarely in the fight for the top positions.
This resurgence is vital looking ahead. The squad, detailed on our squad list, will have to face the next challenge without forward Amaury Morales, who is currently sidelined with an injury. His absence will test the depth of Cruz Azul's attack in the most important match of the season so far.
What is the next challenge for La Máquina?
The schedule offers no respite. Cruz Azul will face the tournament leader, Club America, next on September 13th at the Estadio Azteca. This national clásico takes on even greater significance given the table context. A win over the Águilas would cut the gap to just one point and cement the cementeros' rise. Conversely, a defeat would push them further from the summit.
Preparation for this duel will be key. The coaching staff must work on defensive solidity, as the team has conceded in most of its matches. They must also find attacking solutions to cover for Morales' absence. Individual performance data, available in our stats section, will be analyzed in detail to pick the ideal starting eleven.
The match against América is not only another fixture on the fixtures calendar. It represents a litmus test to validate the growth shown in the last two weeks. Cruz Azul arrives with high morale after two wins but will face the most consistent team in the championship so far. The result will define whether La Máquina is a genuine title contender or still has work to do. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, September 13th, 2026, in Mexico City.
