Background and Relevance of Teams
In the opening match of the Clausura 2025 Liguilla, Monterrey defeated Toluca 3-2 at the BBVA Stadium. Monterrey, also known as Rayados, entered this crucial stage of the tournament with momentum from the Play-In round. Toluca, on the other hand, was the leader of the regular season phase but struggled with a lack of recent match practice.
Match Summary
- Goals: Nelson Deossa (44’), Sergio Canales (50’), and Germán Berterame (69’) scored for Rayados. Víctor Guzmán (16’) scored an own goal for Toluca, while Luan García (82’) narrowed the gap for Diablos Rojos.
- Key Moments: An early own goal from Toluca’s Víctor Guzmán put Rayados ahead. Despite a controversial disallowed goal by Berterame due to a previous handball by Canales, Monterrey maintained control. Active performances from Jesús ‘Tecatito’ Corona and Roberto De la Rosa contrasted Toluca’s weaker showings from Paulinho, Alexis Vega, and Jesús Angulo.
- Team Preparation: Rayados benefited from recent match experience, having played two games in the last two weekends against Pachuca and Pumas. Toluca, however, had 18 days without official games since their last regular season match.
Impact and Future Implications
With a 3-2 scoreline in the first leg, Toluca needs only a narrow victory in the return match at Estadio Nemesio Diez to secure their spot in the semifinals. Monterrey, meanwhile, must avoid a defeat by more than one goal to ensure their advancement.
Historically, Toluca has been a strong home team, earning 20 out of 24 possible points in the Clausura 2025 regular season. Only Tigres surpassed them, with eight victories and one loss. Monterrey’s recent performance includes a single defeat in their last four games, with wins against América, León, and Toluca.
Recent Performance and Pressure
Monterrey, the reigning sub-champions from Apertura 2024, had to secure a Play-In spot after finishing 7th in the regular season standings. They overcame Pachuca and Pumas to enter Liguilla, while Toluca hasn’t won a Liga MX title since the Bicentennial 2010 tournament. The pressure on Toluca is immense, as they aim to reclaim their status as consistent contenders alongside Monterrey, one of the league’s heaviest investors in player development.
