The Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals are set, and Liga MX's hopes now rest on the shoulders of Toluca and Tigres. Club América and Cruz Azul, who had the chance to make it an all-Mexican final four, saw their continental dreams end in the quarterfinals. Here’s a breakdown of the dramatic second-leg action that decided who advanced.

Cruz Azul faced a monumental task, needing to overcome a three-goal deficit from the first leg against LAFC. Playing with a home-field advantage (albeit at a neutral venue in Puebla), La Máquina started strong. A penalty was awarded in the 15th minute after Gabriel Fernández was fouled in the box. Despite a VAR review, the call stood, and Fernández coolly converted from the spot, igniting hopes of a historic comeback.

That hope, however, was short-lived. Despite dominating possession with 72% and unleashing 26 shots, Cruz Azul couldn't find another breakthrough. The 1-0 win on the night wasn't enough, as they fell 3-1 on aggregate. The reigning champions are out, while LAFC moves one step closer to their first-ever Concacaf title.

In the other marquee matchup, Club América's quest for a trophy under manager André Jardine hit a major roadblock. After a scoreless first leg, the Águilas returned to the Estadio Azteca with everything to play for. They controlled possession but were punished for a lack of cutting edge in front of goal.

The decisive moment came early in the second half when Nashville SC's star playmaker, Hany Mukhtar, found a way through the defense. His clinical finish was the only goal of the game, handing Nashville a 1-0 aggregate victory and sending the heavily favored América crashing out of the tournament.

With the dust settled, the semifinal picture is clear. Toluca and Tigres will carry the Liga MX banner forward, aiming to keep the Champions Cup trophy in Mexico. For América and Cruz Azul, it's a bitter end to their campaigns, a reminder that in knockout football, dominance doesn't always translate to results.