Toluca defeated Tigres UANL 9-8 in a penalty shootout on Sunday, with a decisive miss by Argentine world champion Ángel Correa, to retain the title in the Apertura 2025 Mexican soccer tournament.
Toluca won 2-1 at its home stadium with goals by Brazilian Helinho and Portuguese Paulinho to tie the final and win the shootout from 11 meters, in which Alexis Vega scored twice to give his team its twelfth star. Uruguayan Fernando Gorriarán scored for Tigres in regular time.
Toluca, two-time Liga MX champion
🤯🔥 ALEXIS VEGA’S PENALTY KICK TO GIVE TOLUCA THE BICAMPEONATO DE LIGA MX! 🏆
– All Fútbol MX 🇲🇽 (@AllFutbolMX) December 15, 2025
After losing the first leg 1-0 last Thursday, Toluca came out to impose conditions in its stadium, at 2,240 meters above sea level.
Tigres, the team with the best defense in the tournament, held on and at minute 14 took the lead with a left-footed goal by Gorriarán, who intercepted a free kick by Frenchman André Pierre Gignac and put the ball in the net.
Toluca was patient, went on the attack with the regios’ consent and in the 41st minute equalized with an elegant left-footed goal by Helinho from outside the box.
Toluca came out with everything they had in the second half against a timid Tigres, who let their rival grow and it cost them, because in the 52nd minute Paulinho accepted a service from Helinho and left-footed to make it 2-1 and tie the series.
With the fans in their favor, Mohamed’s team continued to push forward in search of the championship goal; Tigres’ coach, the Argentine Guido Pizarro, sent on Argentine Nicolás Ibáñez for Gignac in the 57th minute in an attempt to awaken the offense.
Toluca missed a good opportunity on a corner kick in which Everardo López shot wide in the 80th minute, after which Mohamed sent on Vega, one of his offensive spark plugs, back on the field after more than a month and a half injured.
Toluca lost two of its best attackers to injury: Helinho, in the 73rd minute; and Paulinho, in the 93rd minute.
Tired, the players of both clubs created little in the opposing penalty areas and, after 120 minutes of fighting, decided the title in a penalty shootout.
Tigres started at the bottom due to a mistake by Argentine Nicolás Ibáñez on the first shot, but Uruguayan Federico Pereira volleyed the ball in Toluca’s third series and they were level at 4-4 after five shots for each team.
With the score 5-5, Mohamed put a rosary in his mouth; however, the embrace continued.
In the tenth round, Brazilian Joaquim smashed the ball against the post; Toluca had the title in the hands of Juan Pablo Domínguez, who shot over the goal.
It was time for the goalkeepers; Luis García saved Nahuel Guzmán’s penalty kick, who responded with a good save to keep the score at 8-8.
Then came the unexpected: Correa, the league’s best player, missed his shot, which was saved by goalkeeper García; and seconds later Alexis Vega gave his team the title.
By winning its twelfth Liga MX championship, Toluca tied with Guadalajara as the team with the second most league titles, four fewer than América.
Filed under: Toluca campeón futbol mexicano
With information from EFE
