The curtain fell in the worst possible way. On a night marked by tension and drama at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, veteran Javier “Chicharito” Hernández missed a crucial penalty, sealing not only Chivas’ elimination from the Apertura 2025, but also his bitter farewell to the club where he began his career. The striker’s blunder, which was intended to send the Sacred Flock to the semifinals, turned a potential victory into an emotional and sporting disaster.
Death from the Penalty Spot
The second leg of the Apertura 2025 quarterfinals against Cruz Azul reached its climax with the score 3-2 in favor of La Máquina. Just minutes from the end, a penalty kick put Club Deportivo Guadalajara on the verge of the semifinals. Initially, Luis Romo seemed destined to take the shot, but in a dramatic change of plans, Javier Hernández stepped up to take the ball.
Far from becoming the hero the fans expected, Chicharito Hernández’s shot sailed high, dashing Chivas’ hopes.
The missed penalty occurred around the 85th minute. Cruz Azul defeated Chivas 3-2 and advanced to the next round.
After the miss, the fans unleashed a barrage of jeers, chanting “Chichabuelo, Chichabuelo.”
The media captured the moment after the error: the striker grabbed his head, covered his face in shame, and tears immediately welled up in his eyes. He was consoled by his teammates in what was his last great moment—for all the wrong reasons—with Chivas. The Cruz Azul fans celebrated the heartbreaking scene.
The Context of the Break with Management
This sporting failure comes amidst a complicated institutional situation for the number 14. According to information revealed by the Record newspaper’s “Sniper,” Javier Hernández is living his last days with Chivas, making this elimination his bitter farewell.
The relationship with management had previously become strained:
The newspaper’s contributor detailed that Hernández Balcázar’s latest “snub” was not showing up to training in costume for Halloween.
This act frustrated management, especially Amaury Vergara, for not joining the group.
Chronicle of a Battle at C.U.
The match, held at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, unleashed emotions and great intensity from the start, with a notable invasion of the Chivas fans (Chivahermanos), even though the outlook was more complicated for Chivas, having drawn 0-0 at home and sitting sixth in the overall standings.
Chivas manager Gabriel Milito was forced to improvise with a risky move by giving Cade Cowell a starting spot, who had not been part of the starting eleven since matchday eight, due to the last minute injury of Armando Hormiga González.
