Cruz Azul seeks to extend momentum in Liga MX against struggling Pachuca

Cruz Azul visits Pachuca at the Estadio Hidalgo on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, for a crucial Week 13 matchup in the Liga MX Apertura tournament. The Cementeros enter the fixture looking to build upon their recent dominant performance, having secured a commanding 5-0 victory over FC Juárez in their previous outing.

Under the direction of manager Joel Huiqui, the squad currently holds 20 points, placing them securely in the playoff qualification zone. Huiqui emphasized the collective effort and readiness of the entire roster following the decisive win against Juárez, expressing gratitude for the positive attitude displayed by both starting players and substitutes.

Despite their strong positioning, Cruz Azul faces roster challenges ahead of the clash. The team will be missing key players Willer Ditta and José Paradela due to ongoing muscle injuries, with coaching staff opting to rest them during the demanding double-match week. However, the squad receives a boost with the return of Rotondi to the active roster after recovering his physical condition.

On the opposing side, Pachuca is experiencing a difficult stretch in the tournament, currently sitting in the lower half of the standings with 13 points after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Monterrey. The Tuzos, managed by Esteban Solari, find themselves under immense pressure to turn their season around on home turf as they fight to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Pachuca continues to rely heavily on veteran forward Salomón Rondón, who leads the individual scoring charts with 13 goals this season. Speaking about his star striker, manager Benjamín Mora highlighted his importance to the squad, stating, "I am fortunate to have Rondón within the team I manage. Regardless of whether we pick up points or not, he remains a very important goalscorer."

The historical rivalry, frequently referred to as the Hidalgo Classic due to the founding roots of both institutions in the state, has seen 71 matches contested in short tournaments, resulting in 32 victories for Cruz Azul and 24 for Pachuca, alongside 15 draws. Wednesday's encounter kicks off at 9:10 p.m. local time and will be broadcast via streaming platforms in both Mexico and the United States.