March 10 –CF Monterrey host reigning Champions Cup holders Cruz Azul tonight in the first leg of their Round of 16 series at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico.
The last time these two clubs met in the Champions Cup was in 2021 in the semi-finals when Monterrey came out winners 5-1 on aggregate.
But current form makes Cruz Azul favourites for their 2026 clash.
Cruz Azul currently top Liga MX after 10 matches, having won eight. Including a 2-0 win away to Monterrey at the end of February.
After losing their season opener against León, Cruz Azul haven’t lost since, and had a big February. They avoided defeat against Toluca at the Nemesio Díaz stadium, mercilessly thrashed Vancouver FC in the Champions Cup, and a goal from Ibáñez gave them a 2-1 victory over the current Liga MX second placed side Tigres. Playing at home in Puebla, Cruz Azul ended Chivas’ perfect record, taking away their unbeaten streak.
In contrast Monterrey are still not among the top eight teams that qualify for the Liga MX playoffs with just four wins from 10 games. They lost their last game at the weekend away to local rivals Tigres.
Both clubs have strong records in the round of 16. Cruz Azul are making their fifth Round of 16 appearance having won all four previously
CF Monterrey will also be playing in the Round of 16 for the fifth time, having advanced four times and eliminated once, by the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2025.
Monterrey had a comfortable 4-1 win over Xelaju MC in the first round while Cruz Azul hammered Vancouver FC 7-0.
This Round of 16 tie will be fierce for two teams with a long history in the Champions Cup. Monterrey have won it four times (the last in 2019), while reigning Champions Cruz Azul have won six times.
The winner will face the winner of LAFC vs LD Alajuense in the quarter finals.
March 10 – Monterrey vs Cruz Azul, Estadio BBVA, Nuevo Leon, Monterrey. 7pm local
March 17 – Cruz Azul vs Monterrey, Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Puebla