Cruz Azul defeated Vancouver FC 5-0 on February 12, 2026, in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup opening round, securing an 8-0 aggregate victory to advance to the Round of 16.
Match Summary
The match, held at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla, saw defending champions Cruz Azul dominate from the start against the Canadian Premier League side. Luka Romero was the standout performer, scoring a hat-trick within 62 minutes to effectively end Vancouver FC’s maiden continental campaign. Despite the scoreline, Vancouver head coach Martin Nash praised his team’s spirit, noting that they continued to fight for the full 90 minutes.Â
Key Statistics
- Final Score:Â Cruz Azul 5 – 0 Vancouver FC (8-0 Aggregate)
- Venue: Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Puebla City
- Attendance/Conditions:Â Cool Thursday night in Mexico
- Competition:Â 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup – Round 1, Leg 2
Goal Scorers
| Minute | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 37′ | Luka Romero | Cruz Azul |
| 45+1′ | Luka Romero | Cruz Azul |
| 62′ | Luka Romero | Cruz Azul |
| 68′ | Jorge Rodarte (Header) | Cruz Azul |
| 74′ | Nicolás Ibáñez | Cruz Azul |
Historical Context
Notably, this result mirrored Cruz Azul’s 5-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup Final just eight months prior. That victory had secured Cruz Azul’s record-tying seventh continental title.
Betting Review
Cruz Azul’s 5-0 victory over Vancouver FC on February 12, 2026, was a comprehensive “win-and-cover” for bettors backing the Mexican side, who closed as heavy favorites with odds as short as -1333 to -1500. The match comfortably cleared the total goals line (Over 3.5) and saw Luka Romero deliver a massive payout for those backing him for a hat-trick at +1800.
Betting Outcome Summary
The result secured a clean sweep for most mainstream pre-match betting markets:
- Moneyline:Â Cruz Azul (-1333)Â was the expected winner, while Vancouver FC (+2540) failed to pull off a historic upset.
- Over/Under: The Over 3.5 Goals (-129) hit easily by the 74th minute when the fifth goal was scored.
- Spread: Cruz Azul covered the -2.5 goal handicap (-135) with significant margin.
- Both Teams to Score (BTTS): The “No” (-175) market was successful as Cruz Azul kept a clean sheet.Â
Key Betting Statistics & Payouts
| Market | Selection | Closing Odds | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match Result | Cruz Azul | -1333 | Win |
| Total Goals | Over 3.5 | -129 | Win |
| Handicap | Cruz Azul -2.5 | -135 | Win |
| Anytime Scorer | Luka Romero | -130 | Win |
| Hat-Trick | Luka Romero | +1800 | Win |
| Correct Score | 5-0 | +2200 | Win |
Player Props & Specials
- Luka Romero: The primary betting highlight was Romero’s hat-trick. He was priced at -130 to score at any time, but his three-goal performance rewarded long-shot bettors at +1800.
- Nicolás Ibáñez: The favorite to score first (+280) and to score anytime (-220) added a goal late in the 74th minute to satisfy anytime scorer wagers.
- Clean Sheet:Â Cruz Azul’s defense held firm; Vancouver FC recorded zero shots on goal in the first leg and struggled to test the keeper in this second leg, making the “Vancouver FC Under 0.5 Goals” a straightforward winner.Â