América and Cruz Azul draw 0-0 as Luis Ángel Malagón returns to play
Luis Ángel Malagón volvió a jugar con el primer equipo de las Águilas después de siete meses en un partido amistoso en el que el América empató 0-0 con el Cruz Azul en San Diego, California, durante la pausa de la Liga MX debido a la Fecha FIFA, tudn.com reportó.
Malagón Secures Clean Sheet in First Appearance Since March Surgery
The 0-0 draw on October 2, 2026 marked Malagón’s first match with América’s first team since suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in March during a CONCACAF Champions Cup match against the Philadelphia Union. This Thursday marks 211 days since that leg injury occurred. During his recovery, the goalkeeper missed 18 matches with the team, including postseason fixtures against Pumas. Before receiving the confidence to play again with the senior squad, Malagón played five matches with the Under-21 category, where he conceded seven goals. In América’s previous four matches, Malagón had already appeared on the roster as a substitute for Rodolfo Cota.
New Signings Make Their Debut During International Break
Coaches Guillermo Almada and Joel Huiqui used the international pause to test roster depth and introduce new players. Récord noted that central defenders Santiago Ramos Mingo and Santiago Bueno made their first appearances for América, while Ralph Orquín debuted for Cruz Azul. Ramos Mingo played 72 minutes before being substituted due to cramps. On the offensive side, Cruz Azul relied heavily on Agustín Palavecino, who drove La Máquina’s attack and tested Malagón multiple times from distance, while Alejandro Zendejas hit the goalpost for América in the 34th minute.
Tactical Adjustments Shape Second-Half Stalemate
The pace slowed in the second half following substitutions by both clubs, turning the match into a tightly contested battle in a congested midfield. AS México detailed that Raphael Veiga tested Cruz Azul goalkeeper Andrés Gudiño with a long-range shot in the 75th minute, which proved to be América’s best offensive chance after the intermission. Carlos Álvarez lost the ball in midfield allowing La Máquina to combine with Luka Romero, who passed to Alan Montes, who then opened for José Calero whose shot was saved by the Mexican goalkeeper. Despite multiple attempts from both sides, strong defensive positioning and the saves from both goalkeepers kept the score level through the final whistle.
The friendly match between América and Cruz Azul mirrored the intensity of their regular-season meetings, even as both squads managed workloads during the league pause.
Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.