Santos Laguna will face Cruz Azul at a revised kickoff time for Matchday 7 of the Apertura 2026 season. Liga MX moved the start time from 8:00 PM to 5:00 PM local time, as reported by Record MX on Wednesday. The change comes with the Guerreros in a difficult league position, sitting 17th with just one point from six matches. Their record stands at zero wins, one draw, and five losses.
The team from La Comarca is desperately seeking its first victory of the tournament. Their last result was a 0-0 draw against Tigres UANL on August 30, extending a recent run of five matches without a win. In that stretch, their form reads zero wins, two draws, and three defeats. The goal difference is also concerning, with only four scored and eleven conceded for a -7 differential. In the overall standings, Santos Laguna trails the leader, Club America, by fifteen points.
Why was the match time changed?
The league did not publicly specify the reasons behind the schedule adjustment. However, the modification prompted immediate reactions from fans on social media. A Cruz Azul supporter commented, "El horario clásico de la maquina, ya no lo cambien" (The classic time for La Máquina, don't change it again). Another user expressed a different view, stating, "Mucho mejor horario, así dan ganas de ir" (A much better time, it makes you want to go). The shift places the match in a traditional afternoon slot for many weekend games in Mexican football.
This adjustment affects the logistical preparation of both clubs and their fans' planning. For Santos Laguna, the match against Cruz Azul represents a critical opportunity to break the poor run and earn points on the road. You can check the team's full schedule on our fixtures page.
What is the form of both teams heading into the match?
The contexts for Cruz Azul and Santos Laguna are diametrically opposed. The Cementeros are coming off a convincing 3-1 away win over Necaxa, which places them 10th in the table. They also have player Emiliano Castañeda in their squad for this Apertura 2026. However, they will have a significant absence: Erik Lira will be missing due to the collapse of his transfer to Monaco.
In contrast, Santos Laguna carries the longest victory drought of the tournament among teams that have not been relegated. Their squad is desperately searching for the winning formula. The team's current situation can be reviewed in detail in our standings section, which reflects the urgency to improve.
What other data stands out in the Apertura 2026?
An interesting statistic from the season is the discipline of some teams. Up to the point of this report, five Liga MX clubs had not received any red cards in the Apertura 2026. This is an area where Santos Laguna must also maintain control, especially in a high-pressure match like the upcoming one.
The next test for the team will be precisely this rescheduled fixture. The clash is scheduled for September 7, 2026, at the Estadio Azteca. Cruz Azul, tenth in the standings, hopes to take advantage of playing at home and their better form. All information regarding the lineup and player availability will be on our squad page.
Santos Laguna needs a positive result to begin climbing the table. The match against Cruz Azul, now in an afternoon time slot, represents the first step of a necessary recovery.
