GUADALUPE (Interstat) — César Garza scored in the seventh minute and Monterrey defeated Cruz Azul 1-0 on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in a Liga MX match at Estadio BBVA. Monterrey, playing at home, improved its Liga MX record to three wins, three losses and two draws. Cruz Azul fell to one win and one loss in the competition. Across all competitions, Monterrey moved to 10 wins, four losses and two draws, while Cruz Azul stands at one win and one loss. The match was organized by Liga MX and played in Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico. The home side protected the narrow advantage after scoring early.

Garza, a midfielder, provided the decisive moment with his seventh-minute goal. He played 88 minutes, scored once and received a yellow card. Monterrey’s defense protected the lead for the remaining 83 minutes of regulation after the goal. Cruz Azul increased its pressure after halftime but could not break through. The visitors finished without a goal and left Estadio BBVA with a league loss. Monterrey secured the shutout and the full points from the home fixture. The goal was the only scoring play of the match.

The yellow cards arrived in a flurry just before the hour mark. Cruz Azul’s Gabriel Fernández and Monterrey’s Garza were booked in the 58th minute. Cruz Azul’s Gonzalo Piovi was cautioned in the 60th minute. The bookings reflected a tense stretch as Cruz Azul sought an equalizer and Monterrey worked to slow the visitors’ momentum. No further goals followed, and Monterrey’s early strike stood as the difference. The cards were the only disciplinary entries recorded in the match.

Monterrey entered the match after a 10-0 home victory over Club Necaxa on Sept. 19. The club also played Tigres UANL to a 0-0 draw on Sept. 14 and earned a 3-2 road win at Guadalajara on Sept. 13. Earlier in September, Monterrey beat Toluca 5-1 at home. In late August, Monterrey won 4-0 at Querétaro and lost 3-1 at home to Atlético SL. The club’s wider schedule has included a 6-1 home win over FC JJK Jyvaskyla on Aug. 16 and a 3-1 home win over Atlante on Aug. 9. Monterrey also recorded a 4-1 road win at Santos L on Aug. 18. Monterrey’s overall record stands at 10-4-2.

Cruz Azul came into the fixture after a 4-3 home win over América on Sept. 13 and a 1-0 home win over Santos L on Sept. 7. Earlier results included a 3-1 road win at Necaxa on Aug. 29, a 2-0 home loss to Atlas on Aug. 23, and a 2-1 road loss at Tijuana on Aug. 17. Cruz Azul also beat Club Puebla 2-1 at home on Jul. 22 and won 3-2 at Atlético SL on Jul. 18. The club’s Liga MX record now sits at one win and one loss after the defeat at Monterrey. Cruz Azul’s overall record also stands at one win and one loss.

Monterrey’s next Liga MX match is scheduled for Sept. 26 at Atlante. The club then has an Oct. 11 league visit to América and an Oct. 19 home match against Pachuca. Monterrey is also listed to host Guadalajara on Oct. 25 in Liga MX. Cruz Azul next hosts Toluca on Sept. 27 in Liga MX. Cruz Azul is also set to visit UNAM on Oct. 12 and Pachuca on Oct. 22. The club has a listed home match against FC JJK Jyvaskyla on Oct. 18 and a road match at Querétaro on Oct. 26. The sides are next listed against other opponents in their upcoming Liga MX schedules.

Monterrey’s overall record is now 10 wins, four losses and two draws. Cruz Azul’s overall record is now one win and one loss. Monterrey recorded a clean sheet at Estadio BBVA in the league match. Cruz Azul remains without a goal in this fixture after being held scoreless. The visitors could not convert their second-half chances into an equalizer. Monterrey’s back line and midfield protected the one-goal advantage through the final whistle.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Monterrey 1, Cruz Azul 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Monterrey with a 70.8 percent probability to win. The actual result matched the simulated scoreline, with Garza’s early goal making the difference. Monterrey’s win came in the league match organized by Liga MX.