Toluca, Club América Secure Spots in Semifinals of Liga MX Playoffs

LOS ÁNGELES, May 8, 2025 — The quarterfinals of the 2025 Liga MX playoffs saw intense competition as Toluca and Club América secured their spots in the semifinals.

In a dramatic match, Toluca defeated León 2-1 at Estadio Universitario, advancing with a 4-4 aggregate score. After losing 3-2 in the first leg, Toluca overcame adversity as they played with ten men for more than 70 minutes after Helinho’s expulsion. Alexis Vega put Toluca ahead at the 30-minute mark, but Roberto De La Rosa equalized just after halftime. Paulinho sealed the win at the 68th minute.

Meanwhile, Club América also advanced, defeating Pachuca 2-0 at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes after a scoreless first leg. Alejandro Zendejas shone as the star of the match, scoring both goals for América. The game saw Pachuca reduced to ten players early on due to Oussama Idrissi’s red card.

A more surprising outcome came from Cruz Azul, who qualified by winning both legs against Tigres, 3-2 in the first leg and 2-1 in the return match at Estadio Olímpico Universitario. Unfortunately, Cruz Azul faced a setback with the early injury to Andrés Montaño, leaving a noticeable gap in their attack.

In a tense match, Necaxa caused a stir by eliminating Tigres with a last-minute equalizer that occurred in the 97th minute, showcasing the unpredictability of the playoffs.

As the semifinals approach, the matchups are set. Toluca will face the winner of the Rayados and Santos series, while Club América will meet Cruz Azul. Specific match dates and times will be confirmed shortly, but they are expected to take place on May 14-15 for the first leg and May 17-18 for the second leg.