Uruguayan Gabriel Fernández scored the goal that gave Cruz Azul a 1-1 draw with Mazatlán on Friday in the twelfth round of the Mexican soccer Clausura.
Chilean Josué Ovalle scored for Mazatlán. With the win, La Máquina reached 27 points in second place, the same as the leader Guadalajara, which has a better goal difference; Mazatlán has 11 points in fifteenth place.
Kevin Mier reappears
In this match against Mazatlán, Colombian goalkeeper Kevin Mier reappeared with Cruz Azul.
He had not played since November 8, 2025, when he suffered a fractured fibula in a match against Pumas UNAM.
The contenders engaged in an intense midfield battle in the first half.
Cruz Azul had a chance to open the scoring in the 17th minute, with a cross shot by Andrés Montaño that was deflected by Ricardo Rodríguez.
The home team responded in the 29th minute with a counterattack in which Brian Rubio shot inside the box, but Mier closed the space and made a save.
La Máquina reached 27 points in second place
QuéOnnda.com
In the second half, Mazatlán made it 1-0 in the 47th minute when Brazilian Dudu’s right-footed shot was blocked by Mier for Josué Ovalle’s shot into the net.
La Máquina pushed forward and equalized in the 86th minute, with a half-volleyed shot by Gabriel Fernández.
Earlier, Necaxa defeated Tijuana, led by Uruguayan Sebastián ‘Loco’ Abreu, 3-0.
Necaxa won with a brace from Argentine Javier Ruíz and a goal from compatriot Tomás Badaloni.
Day 12 continues with key duels
The twelfth round will continue this Saturday after the duels between Cruz Azul and Mazatlán and Necaxa vs Tijuana.
Monterrey will try to break their losing streak against Gabriel Milito’s Guadalajara, who need a win to move back into sole leadership.
Costa Rican Keylor Navas’ Pumas UNAM will host América in one of the fiercest rivalries in Mexican soccer.
On the same day, Atlas will face Querétaro and San Luis will host León, which will have its new coach in the person of Argentine Javier Gandolfi.
The 12th date will conclude on Sunday with three matches.
Pachuca, led by Venezuelan Salomón Rondón, will try to break the undefeated record of champion Toluca, led by Argentinean coach Antonio Mohamed.
Tigres UANL, in which Ángel Correa, world champion with Argentina, plays, is favored to come away with the victory in its visit to Juárez FC.
And Santos Laguna, last in the competition, will host Puebla.
With information from EFE
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com