Editing Cruz Azul (section)

===1968–1980: Golden era and domestic dominance===
[[File:Despedida de Miguel Marín.jpg|left|thumb|[[Miguel Marín (Argentine footballer)|Miguel Marín]] at his farewell match on 6 June 1981, held at the [[Estadio Azteca]] against [[C.D. Guadalajara|Guadalajara]]. Regarded as one of Cruz Azul's greatest icons of the 1970s, Marín was instrumental in the club's golden era success.]]
During the [[1968–69 Mexican Primera División season|1968–69 season]], under the direction of Cárdenas, Cruz Azul won its first [[1968–69 Copa México|Copa México]] title, first [[1968–69 Mexican Primera División season|Primera División]] championship, and first [[1969 CONCACAF Champions' Cup|CONCACAF Champions' Cup]].<ref name="RC">{{cite web|url=https://mexico.as.com/mexico/2018/03/06/futbol/1520295108_196896.html|title=¿Quién fue Raúl Cárdenas? El gran entrenador del Cruz Azul|date=5 March 2018|access-date=10 June 2021|archive-date=10 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610000948/https://mexico.as.com/mexico/2018/03/06/futbol/1520295108_196896.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This achievement made the club the first team in both Mexico and the [[CONCACAF]] region to win all three major titles—commonly referred to as a [[Treble (association football)#Continental trebles|continental treble]]—within four years of joining the top division.<ref name="auto7">{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/114/mexico/2013/04/11/3896920/tom-marshall-what-now-for-copa-mx-winner-cruz-azul|title=Tom Marshall: What now for Copa MX winner Cruz Azul? &#124; Goal.com|website=www.goal.com|access-date=2021-06-06|archive-date=2021-02-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201173507/https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/114/mexico/2013/04/11/3896920/tom-marshall-what-now-for-copa-mx-winner-cruz-azul|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the [[1969–70 Mexican Primera División season|1969–70 Primera División season]], Cruz Azul finished second on the general standings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/mex6970.html|title=Mexico 1969/70|access-date=2023-02-02|archive-date=2023-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923135705/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/mex6970.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Later that year, on 15 December, the club was awarded the [[1970 CONCACAF Champions' Cup]] after [[Deportivo Saprissa|Saprissa]] and [[S.V. Transvaal|Transvaal]] withdrew from the tournament's second phase due to financial constraints.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesc/cacups70.html|title=Central American Club Competitions 1970|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=2023-02-02|archive-date=2023-02-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207125710/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesc/cacups70.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://vamoscruzazul.bolavip.com/noticias/Cruz-Azul-fue-campeon-de-la-Concacaf-en-1970-sin-jugar-20200319-0001.html|title=Cruz Azul fue campeón de la Concacaf en 1970… ¡sin jugar!|date=19 March 2020|access-date=23 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203002/https://vamoscruzazul.bolavip.com/noticias/Cruz-Azul-fue-campeon-de-la-Concacaf-en-1970-sin-jugar-20200319-0001.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Between 1970 and 1980, Cruz Azul established an era of dominance by winning six league titles—four under Cárdenas and two under [[Ignacio Trelles|Ignacio Trelles]]—becoming one of the most successful Mexican clubs of the decade. Led by legendary goalkeeper [[Miguel Marín (Argentine footballer)|Miguel Marín]], who made his final appearance for the club in a testimonial match against [[C.D. Guadalajara|Guadalajara]] in June 1981,<ref>{{Cite web |title=La despedida de Miguel Marín {{!}} TUDN Fútbol {{!}} TUDN |url=https://www.tudn.com/futbol/la-despedida-de-miguel-marin-video |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=www.tudn.com |language=es}}</ref> the team earned the nickname ''La Máquina'' ("The Machine") in reference to its consistent performances and playing style.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Spindola |first=Ana Patricia |date=28 April 2022 |title=¿Por qué le dicen la Máquina a Cruz Azul y desde cuándo surgió el apodo? |url=https://www.debate.com.mx/deportes/Por-que-le-dicen-la-Maquina-a-Cruz-Azul-y-desde-cuando-surgio-el-apodo-20220428-0182.html |access-date=12 May 2025 |website=debate |language=es}}</ref>

On 18 December 1976, long-serving club president [[Guillermo Álvarez Macías]] died of a heart attack at the age of 56 while awaiting a meeting with [[José López Portillo|President José López Portillo]].<ref name="auto12"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://vamoscruzazul.bolavip.com/noticias/Recuerdo-de-Guillermo-Alvarez-Macias-a-42-anos-de-su-fallecimiento-20181218-0006.html|title = Recuerdo de Guillermo Álvarez Macías a 42 años de su fallecimiento| date=18 December 2018 }}</ref>