The Liguilla of the Clausura 2026 has given us its first big surprise, and it has overtones of tragedy in the State of Mexico. On an afternoon when “Turco” Antonio Mohamed’s strategy ended up taking its toll, the Pachuca Tuzos struck a blow with a 1-0 victory over reigning champion Toluca in the first leg of the quarterfinals.
With Enner Valencia in stellar form, Esteban Solari’s team showed that there are no favorites by decree in the big party.
Pachuca assaults Toluca
The match began with a decision that left more than one person open-mouthed: Portuguese striker Paulinho started on the bench.
Mohamed, with his sights set on next Tuesday’s CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal, decided to dose his top player.
However, the “Inferno” went cold just after the 8th minute.
Ecuador’s Enner Valencia received a precise service from Elías Montiel and, with the coolness of a veteran, unleashed a thunderous right-footed shot from outside the area that left the home goalkeeper with no options.
From that moment on, Toluca became a nervous wreck.
Although the Red Devils had possession of the ball, Paulinho’s absence was felt in every cross into the box and in every dangerous play that failed to find a finisher.
The team from the so-called ‘Bella Airosa’, with an impeccable defensive order, was dedicated to making the champion desperate, closing all spaces and betting on a counter-attack that almost ended the series on a couple of occasions.
Desperate, Mohamed sent on Paulinho and Nicolás Castro in the 60th minute, but the damage had already been done.
The Hidalgo wall did not give an inch.
The tension reached its peak in the 84th minute, when the referee disallowed a Toluca goal for offside, causing the frustrated fans to fall back into the homophobic shouting that the league has tried so hard to eradicate.
With this result, Pachuca returns home with a golden advantage.
Next Sunday, May 10, the Tuzos will qualify for the semifinals as long as they do not lose by two goals or more in front of their home fans.
For their part, champions Toluca will be forced to make an epic comeback if they are to avoid surrendering the crown early.
Was it worth it to take care of the starters for Concacaf? We will have the answer in a week that promises to be a heart-pounding one for the capital of Mexico City.
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