Toluca was consecrated two-time Mexican soccer champion by winning the tournament Opening 2025 of the MX Leagueafter beating Tigres in a final defined until the penalty shootoutafter more than 120 minutes of intensity in the Nemesio Diez Stadium.
The Red Devils successfully defended their crown by winning the second leg 2-1draw 2-2 on aggregate score and win 9-8 in the penalty shootoutin one of the longest and most dramatic finals of recent tournaments.
The team led by Antonio “Turco” Mohamed closed the year with a perfect balance, achieving all the objectives set and raising its twelfth Liga MX titlewith which he reached Chivas as the second most winning club in Mexican soccer.
This match was a real swing of emotions, with both teams committed to the attack and aware that only one could achieve glory, in a series that maintained tension until the last shot from the eleven steps.
Alexis Vega, hero of Toluca’s two-time championship on penalties
The undisputed figure of the final was Alexis Vegacaptain of Toluca, who returned to the field after an injury and ended up becoming the hero of the two-time championship.
Vega scored two decisive penalties: the first to open the shootout and the final one in sudden deathwhen he faced Nahuel Guzman and turned the ninth penaltywhich sealed the scarlet triumph.
“Nobody better than him to steal the spotlight”, after appearing from the bench and assuming responsibility at the moment of greatest pressure.
The penalty shootout was extended to 24 executionswith a sequence marked by mistakes, saves and constant changes in the advantage, until Vega’s shot tipped the balance definitively.
Apertura 2025 Final: goals, extra time and maximum tension
In regular time, Tigers struck first with a free kick André-Pierre Gignac in the 13th minute, whose shot deflected off Fernando Gorriarán and ended up inside the goal defended by Luis Garcia.
Toluca reacted with control of the ball and found the tie before the break with a Helinho’s golazo at minute 40, after an individual play that culminated in an unreachable shot for Guzmán.
In the second half, Paulinhothree-time scoring champion, scored 2-1 in the 51st minute, taking advantage of an assist from Helinho and returning the hope of the two-time championship to the scarlet fans.
The overall score no longer moved either in regulation time or in extra time, so the title had to be decided from the penalty spot, in one of the longest finals of the Liga MX.
In addition to Vega, another determining element was the goalkeeper Luis Garciawho made two key saves during the penalty shootout, including one against Nahuel Guzmán himself.
The goalkeeper also experienced contrasting moments, failing his own shot, but he recovered to support his team in the most critical moments of the definition.
The combination between Vega’s effectiveness and García’s interventions ended up making the difference in a series where both teams showed nerve, physical wear and extreme tension.
Gignac is attacked by a fan during the final in Toluca | Video
During the development of the match, there was a security incident when André-Pierre Gignac was attacked by a fan from Toluca at the time of being replaced.
The French forward received a flag before sitting on the substitutes’ bench, after the stadium booed him after he left the field.
The broadcast showed Gignac complaining about a blow to the shoulder, although the incident did not escalate.
During the match, the player also had friction with Federico Pereira and protested arbitration decisions.
With information from The Universal, Infobae y TV Azteca.