Cruz Azul prospect takes his chance: First start, first goal

Cruz Azul battled to a hard-fought draw against Necaxa at Estadio Victoria during the midweek doubleheader of the Apertura 2025. The match marked a significant moment for 20-year-old Amaury Morales, as head coach Nicolás Larcamón handed the academy product his first start of the tournament.

Morales, who had previously made sporadic appearances with the senior squad in past seasons, had been largely sidelined since Larcamón took over. Indeed, he doesn’t appear in the Cruz Azul roster publicly listed by Liga MX, as he’s officially part of the club’s U-21 setup.

Despite his limited first-team involvement this campaign - which has also been influenced by his involvement with Mexico in the U-20 World Cup - Morales made the most of his opportunity against Necaxa.

Promising display capped by goal

Wearing the unusual number 194, he played the full 90 minutes and made a strong case for more regular inclusion in Larcamón’s starting XI. His standout moment came in the 65th minute, when he broke the deadlock with a composed finish - his first goal of the tournament.

The goal was a product of pure instinct and technique. Morales controlled a lofted pass with his chest, settled the ball, and rifled a right-footed shot past the opposing goalkeeper, leaving no chance for a save. Just back from international duty, the young midfielder is already making waves with the senior squad.

Amaury’s added benefit

His performance also helped Cruz Azul accumulate valuable minutes toward the league’s youth player requirement - a rule that mandates a minimum number of minutes played by U-21 players. The club still needs 177 minutes to meet the quota, but Morales’ full-game contribution puts them closer to compliance as the regular season nears its end and the playoffs loom.

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