Background on Cruz Azul and Toluca
Cruz Azul, also known as “La Máquina,” extended their unbeaten streak to six matches in the Apertura 2025 tournament by defeating the reigning Liga MX champions, Toluca, 1-0 at Estadio Azul. The match drew an attendance of 22,687 spectators.
The Match
Luka Romero’s header in the 78th minute proved to be the decisive play, assisted by Jesús Orozco Chiquete’s precise long pass covering over 30 meters. Cruz Azul’s head coach, Nicolás Larcamón, expressed his satisfaction with the victory and the team’s performance:
“This was one of those games you circle on the calendar, facing the last champion and a team that has maintained its position. The way we secured the win is an excellent gift to the hard work of all the players. I’m not just content with the points and the streak, but also with the team’s overall football expression throughout the match.”
Standings and Impact
Going into Jornada 6, both Cruz Azul and América were the only undefeated teams. If América loses to Atlas on Sunday, Cruz Azul will remain the sole undefeated team. Following this victory, Cruz Azul temporarily sits second in the overall table with 14 points and a goal difference of +6, just behind Monterrey who has 15 points and also a goal difference of +6 after their 3-0 win over Necaxa earlier in the day.
This result provides a much-needed boost for Larcamón, who has yet to fully win over the Cementeros’ fans. During announcements of lineups, he was even booed by the home crowd.
Coaches’ Perspectives
Larcamón, previously the head coach of Necaxa, León, and Puebla, was recently eliminated in the first round of the Leagues Cup by Seattle Sounders with a shocking 0-7 defeat. However, he has now secured three consecutive victories in Liga MX, aiming to redeem himself.
On the other hand, Toluca has struggled recently, with three consecutive matches ending without a win: a 1-1 draw against Pumas in Jornada 5, a 5-6 penalty shootout loss to Orlando City in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals, and now the narrow 1-0 defeat to Cruz Azul.
Unlike their start to the tournament, where they scored at least two goals in four consecutive matches, Toluca has only managed one goal in 270 minutes across their last three games against Pumas, Orlando City, and Cruz Azul.
“We definitely need to find other ways, especially offensively. We’ve lost a bit of freshness, but it’s true that we need to keep looking for solutions because our opponents are figuring us out. It’s the technical staff’s job to find more tools for the team,” analyzed Antonio Mohamed, Toluca’s head coach.
Looking Ahead
Toluca will face Atlético de San Luis in Jornada 7, aiming to return to winning ways. Cruz Azul will take on Chivas in the same round. Following this, both teams will enjoy a weekend off due to the first FIFA date of the 2025-26 season.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are Cruz Azul and Toluca? Cruz Azul, or “La Máquina,” and Toluca are two prominent teams in the Mexican Liga MX.
- What was the outcome of their match? Cruz Azul defeated Toluca 1-0 with a goal from Luka Romero.
- How does this victory impact their standings? Cruz Azul temporarily sits second in the overall table, while Toluca’s recent struggles have dropped them down.
- What are the coaches’ perspectives on their teams’ performances? Larcamón is satisfied with Cruz Azul’s progress, while Mohamed acknowledges Toluca’s need for offensive improvements.
