The Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla, Mexico, is set to host the second leg of an all-Mexican clash in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 tonight, March 17, 2026, as Cruz Azul face off against Monterrey. A place in the quarterfinals is on the line after Cruz Azul secured a 3-2 victory in the first leg.
Both teams come into this match with recent Liga MX results offering a mixed bag of form. Cruz Azul will aim to leverage their first-leg advantage and strong home record, while Monterrey will be looking to overturn the deficit and avoid an early exit from the tournament. This match promises a compelling contest between two of Liga MX’s top sides.
How the Teams Line Up
Cruz Azul is coming off a 2-2 draw against Pumas UNAM, maintaining their position as leaders in the Liga MX standings, despite dropping points. Monterrey, meanwhile, likewise played to a 2-2 draw, this time against Juárez, leaving them ninth in the league table. Both teams will be eager to translate domestic form into Champions Cup success.
According to starting lineups released prior to kickoff, Cruz Azul will feature Andrés Gudiño in goal, with a defense anchored by Willer Ditta and Ángel Márquez. The midfield will see contributions from Agustín Palavecino and Carlos Rodríguez, while Nicolás Ibáñez leads the attack. Monterrey’s lineup includes a start for Lucas Ocampos, who scored a crucial goal in the first leg, alongside Jorge Rodríguez and Omar Campos.
