MIAMI – Following the conclusion of the first set of Round One series in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, it’s time to review the Key Takeaways from the second week of the competition.

 Five teams through to the Round of 16

The second week of competition in the 2026 Champions Cup presented the conclusion of five Round One series. Four Liga MX sides and one MLS club secured qualification to the Round of 16: current titleholders Cruz Azul, Club América, CF Monterrey, Tigres UANL, and debutants San Diego FC.

 Cruz Azul’s Luka Romero records first hat-trick of 2026 Champions Cup

The 5-nil victory for Cruz Azul in the second leg of its series against Vancouver FC presented a standout performance from Luka Romero, with the attacking midfielder scoring three of the five goals for the defending champions. With his goals in the 37’, 45’+1’, and 62’, Romero registered the first hat-trick of the 2026 edition. 

Stellar Tigres UANL debut for Rodrigo Aguirre 

Tigres UANL defeated Forge FC, 4-1 in the second leg, to claim the Round One series in an encounter that presented a stellar debut for Rodrigo Aguirre. The Uruguayan striker bagged a brace in his first match for Los Universitarios, opening the scoring in the 22’, before adding a second in the 71’. 

Home fortress for CF Monterrey 

CF Monterrey came out on top, 2-nil, at home against CSD Xelajú MC to claim the Round One series, 3-1, on aggregate.

The win extended a positive run for Rayados at home in Round One. The Mexican side was victorious in its past three Round One home fixtures without conceding, defeating Comunicaciones (3-0) in 2024, Forge FC (3-0) in 2025, and Club Xelajú (2-0) in 2026.