A long drought (1980-1997)

In the 1980-81 season, Cruz Azul was on track to win its second three-time championship, but this intention was put to an end by Pumas UNAM, who had lost the first leg 1-0 at the Azteca Stadium, but won 4-1 at Ciudad Universitaria, in what was also the farewell of Hugo Sánchez, who was leaving for Atlético de Madrid in Spain. From that moment on, Cruz Azul entered a period of title drought, although it reached three more league finals (against Guadalajara in 1987, América in 1989 and Necaxa in 1995) and one cup final (against Puebla in 1988). During that period, Cruz Azul did not qualify for four league finals, and in the 1989-90 season they were second to last in the table, only above Atlante and Tampico Madero, although they were not in danger of relegation. It distinguished itself by being an animator of the league round, but without winning the longed-for championship until the introduction of the short tournaments. After failing to qualify for the playoffs in the first two short tournaments, Cruz Azul finally managed to break the fast of titles by becoming champion in the 1997 Winter season, thanks to its great hero Carlos Hermosillo. They had previously won the Cup, defeating Toros Neza, and would go on to win two more Concacaf Champions League titles (1996 and 1997).

They ended the millennium by reaching the final against Pachuca (Winter 1999), where they were favored to win the final match at home. However, the Tuzos scored a golden goal in extra time and that was the end of their sad story; they were crowned, depriving the light blue team of what would have been their ninth championship. In the last years of the 20th century, Cruz Azul had a great regularity, highlighting the 40 points obtained in the winter of 1998, after 12 wins, 4 draws and 1 defeat. The club also had great players such as the 2006 world champion Mauro Camoranesi.

Cruz Azul had to wait a long time to win another league title, and this one came 17 years later in the third short tournament. They finished in second place overall (one point behind León) and in the playoffs they defeated Atlas in the quarterfinals (1-0 at the Jalisco and 4-1 at Azul), and Atlante in the semifinals (1-1 at the Azteca and 1-0 at Azul), before facing León in a hard-fought final series. In the first leg at the Azul, La Máquina took a minimal lead with a penalty kick by Benjamín Galindo. In the second leg at the Nou Camp stadium, the Emerald team managed to tie the aggregate with a goal by Missael Espinoza, forcing extra time. In extra time, Arturo Brizio, the referee, had already awarded a penalty against the Esmeralda goalkeeper Ángel David Comizzo after a strong kick on Carlos Hermosillo's face; an act that would benefit the Cementero team. Shaken, with a bloodied face, the striker nicknamed the “Big Boy of Cerro Azul” took courage and did not hesitate to take the penalty in the 100th minute, with the golden goal criterion. In this way, Cruz Azul would consolidate its position as champion of Mexican soccer, winning its eighth title.