PUEBLA, Mexico (Interstat) — Cruz Azul scored twice in a four-minute span early in the second half to secure a 2-1 victory over Tigres UANL in a pivotal Liga MX match on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at Estadio Cuauhtémoc.

The result tightened the race at the top of the league table, with Cruz Azul improving its season record to 12 wins, 2 losses and 6 draws. Tigres UANL, which entered the match on a three-game winning streak, fell to 12-3-6. Both clubs now hold identical overall records across all competitions at 12-3-6.

The first half was a tense, physical affair that produced more cautions than clear chances. Tigres winger Diego Lainez received the first yellow card in the 37th minute for a reckless challenge. Cruz Azul forward Nicolás Ibáñez was booked deep into first-half stoppage time after a confrontation.

The match erupted shortly after the restart. In the 56th minute, Cruz Azul broke the deadlock. A defensive lapse by Tigres allowed Joaquim to find space inside the penalty area, and the midfielder finished calmly to give the home side the lead.

The advantage was swiftly doubled just four minutes later. Ibáñez atoned for his earlier yellow card by finding the net in the 60th minute, capitalizing on sustained pressure from the hosts to stun the visiting Tigres supporters.

Facing a two-goal deficit, Tigres responded with urgency. Argentine forward Ángel Correa provided a lifeline in the 71st minute, scoring to cut the deficit in half and set up a frantic final twenty minutes. The goal was Correa’s first for the club since his high-profile transfer earlier in the season.

The closing stages were marked by increased intensity and further discipline from the referee. Cruz Azul’s Carlos Rotondi was shown a yellow card in the 64th minute for a tactical foul to halt a Tigres counterattack. Defender Jorge Rodarte joined him in the book in the 88th minute as Cruz Azul sought to protect its narrow lead.

Tigres, pushing for an equalizer, found few clear opportunities against a disciplined Cruz Azul defense. The frustration culminated in a yellow card for Cruz Azul’s goalscorer Joaquim in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time, but the home side managed the remaining moments to seal the victory.

The win allowed Cruz Azul to gain a slight edge in the head-to-head standings this season, following a 1-1 draw between the two sides on October 4, 2025. It also marked a successful return to league play for Cruz Azul after a 1-1 draw with Toluca the previous weekend.

The match defied the pregame projection from Interstat, whose game simulator had predicted a 1-1 draw. Their ELO rating system, however, had given Cruz Azul a 64.7 percent probability to win, which the home side ultimately justified.

Cruz Azul will look to build on this momentum when it hosts Guadalajara next Saturday. Tigres UANL, which saw its recent winning run snapped, aims to rebound quickly at home against Pachuca next Friday.