Vancouver FC's first international flight was a turbulent one, ending in a 5-0 loss to Cruz Azul (8-0 on aggregate) in the Concacaf Champions Cup on Thursday. Down three goals after last Wednesday's first leg in Langley, the literal and figurative mountain that the Eagles had to climb on Thursday at Estadio Cuauhtémoc proved too great against a ruthless and clinical opponent. Luka Romero scored a hat-trick inside 62 minutes for Cruz Azul, as they look every bit a contender again in this year's Champions Cup. Still, against the backdrop of a historic stadium and facing some of the region's best players, it will be a special night for the young club when they get a moment to reflect on it. In just their fourth season of existence, they bravely battled against one of the continent's most successful clubs. "It's not often you lose 5-0, and I feel like five or six of my guys played great games," said Vancouver FC head coach Martin Nash. "That speaks to the quality of Cruz Azul." Vancouver FC made just one change to their starting eleven from the first leg, bringing in 20-year-old Kian Proctor for his first start as a left-sided full-back. They did, however, also shift formation, going to a 5-4-1 from the 4-4-2 they played in the first leg -- with defenders spread across the wide Estadio Cuauhtémoc pitch. Cruz Azul, meanwhile, made five changes from the first leg. With so many new players in their eleven, the hosts looked disconnected through the early stages despite enjoying the majority of possession and territorial advantage. The visitors, meanwhile, were tenacious in their tackles, not making it easy for la máquina to progress the ball. The rough and tumble first half saw several stoppages due to injuries, creating a pace that certainly would have suited the visitors -- allowing them to catch their breath at altitude. For 37 minutes, they frustrated Cruz Azul. But eventually, the quality of the Mexican giants won out. Running through midfield, José Paradela beat his man with a stunning dribble before finding Jeremy Márquez. He, in turn, played an outstanding slip ball into the path of Romero, who, despite being pushed to the ground, lifted the ball over Callum Irving. The Eagles nearly responded immediately, as Proctor did well to keep a hopeful ball in play down the left touchline, crossing it into the path of Thierno Bah. The VFC attacker had a loose touch, but was cleaned out by his defender in the box. For the second straight match, however, the Eagles and Bah had a penalty shout go unheard. Smelling blood in the water, Cruz Azul kept pushing and hit the post on a corner not long thereafter. In first half stoppage time, it was Romero again who nodded home a second after somehow getting open in the box despite being surrounded by white Vancouver shirts. With the tie firmly in their control, Cruz Azul made three changes at the half, bringing off regulars Willer Ditta, who was on a booking, as well as Márquez and Paradela. Meanwhile, in search of what would be a historic consolation goal, Vancouver FC played far more aggressively in attack, given clear license to get forward to start they second half. They too made three changes around the 55-minute mark, with David Norman, Abdoulaye Ouattara and Tyler Crawford checking into the match. But it was Romero's night, and in the 62nd minute, he was given a bit of good fortune as a reward for his quality and effort. Collecting the ball to the right of Irving's net, he looked to hit a shot, but instead, he was given a bit of space to turn and shoot, and he did just that, scoring his third goal of the night.