Angel Sepulveda netted two goals as Cruz Azul dominated Vancouver Whitecaps, securing a 5-0 victory on Sunday to clinch their seventh CONCACAF Champions Cup title. Sepulveda’s impressive tournament tally reached nine goals, while teammates Ignacio Libero, Lorenzo Faravelli, and Mateus Borgs also contributed to the rout, giving Cruz Azul a commanding 4-0 lead by halftime.
With this win, Cruz Azul ties traditional rivals Club America for the most titles in the history of the tournament. Their first triumph dates back to 2013-14 when they overcame Tijuana. The Whitecaps aimed to make history as the first Canadian club to win the cup and were looking for a breakthrough after being the last MLS team to achieve a championship win in 2022, when the Seattle Sounders claimed victory.
Cruz Azul was decisive in the first half, converting four shots on target into goals, taking full advantage of defensive lapses from the Whitecaps. Ignacio Olivero opened the scoring with a left-footed finish just seven minutes in, followed by Faravelli, whose shot hit the post but found the net. Sepulveda added goals in the 37th and another header in the 50th, sandwiched by Borgs’ strike in the 45th minute.
Goalkeeper Kevin Maier earned his fourth clean sheet of the tournament, while Vancouver failed to register any shots on goal. The Whitecaps missed key player Sebastian Barhalter due to yellow card accumulation, while captain Ryan Gold was sidelined due to a knee injury. Cruz Azul advanced to the finals after a two-legged win against UANL Tigres, marking the first encounter between the two teams.
Cruz Azul’s victory is a significant moment in soccer as it underscores the competitiveness of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. For fans, this triumph not only strengthens Cruz Azul’s legacy but also adds intrigue to the ongoing rivalry between MLS and Liga MX teams, highlighting the rising stakes in cross-league competitions.
