Toluca Etches Their Name in Liga MX Legend with Historic Final Victory
In what stands as one of the most spectacular, heart-stopping and unforgettable Liga MX championship matches in recent memory, Toluca mounted an incredible comeback to overcome Tigres via penalty kicks, securing their place as the fifth club this century to capture consecutive Liga MX championships.
A quick strike in Sunday's second leg allowed Tigres to extend their first-leg lead, placing the defending titleholders on the verge of victory. However, Toluca demonstrated their championship resilience by fighting back, with a brilliant strike from Helinho and a second-half goal from Paulinho forcing the match into extra time and ultimately a penalty shootout.
Drama reached its peak during the decisive penalty phase, requiring both sides to take 12 spot kicks before crowning a winner. Following his successful first penalty attempt, 2022 World Cup winner Ángel Correa became the unfortunate figure after failing with his second kick, paving the way for Toluca's savior, Alexis Vega, to convert the championship-clinching penalty on the 24th attempt of the shootout.
Los Diablos Rojos solidified their position as Liga MX's premier team in 2025, concluding the calendar year as winners of both the Clausura and Apertura 2025 tournaments while also claiming the top spot in regular season play during both competitions.
Following a 15-year championship drought, Toluca captured two trophies within just over half a year to earn their 12th star, matching Chivas as the second most successful franchise in Liga MX history.
Toluca: The Most Dominant Team in Contemporary Liga MX Era
Toluca's Apertura 2025 championship marked the organization's ninth title since Liga MX adopted the dual-tournament annual structure in 1996—more than any other club in Mexico's premier division during this period.
Even with their 15-year championship absence, Toluca has remained closely associated with success since the implementation of the six-month tournament system. Los Diablos Rojos secured six league championships within a single decade spanning 1998–08, before adding another crown in 2010.
Club América's recent historic three consecutive Liga MX titles allowed them to surpass Toluca with eight championships since the format modification. Ironically, Los Diablos Rojos dethroned América during the Clausura 2025 and with their victory against Tigres, they secured their ninth league title since 1996.
Toluca, founded in 1917, has consistently ranked among the most storied organizations in the league. Now, within less than three decades, they have also established themselves as an unquestionable Liga MX dynasty.
Clubs With the Highest Title Count in Contemporary Liga MX Era
Position | Club | Championships |
|---|---|---|
1. | Toluca | 9 |
2. | Club América | 8 |
3. | Pachuca | 7 |
4. | Santos Laguna | 6 |
5. | Tigres | 6 |
Antonio Mohamed Enters Elite Liga MX Coaching Circle
Following Toluca's triumph over América in the Clausura 2025 championship, Antonio Mohamed joined an exclusive group as just the third coach in Liga MX history to claim the title with four separate organizations. With his fifth Liga MX trophy, he has established himself among the most accomplished and successful tacticians in Mexican football history.
"El Turco" represents a tactical mastermind, skilled at adapting his approach based on his squad's particular assets and the opposition they face. He can guide humble, defensively-oriented teams like when Tijuana captured their inaugural Liga MX crown in 2012, or manage potent offensive squads such as Toluca's present lineup.
The magnetic coach possesses a demonstrated ability to make crucial decisions at pivotal moments. During Sunday's championship match, he replaced regular goalkeeper Hugo González with substitute Luis García, a controversial choice that proved brilliant as García proceeded to deny three penalties in the shootout, including a spectacular save against Correa that set up the decisive moment.
Just three coaches throughout Liga MX history have captured more titles than Mohamed. Given current trends, there's a genuine possibility the Argentine tactician will add several more before his career concludes.
Most Accomplished Coaches in Liga MX History
Position | Coach | Championships | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
1. | Ignacio Trelles | 7 | Marte, Zacatepec, Toluca, Cruz Azul |
2. | Ricardo Ferretti | 7 | Chivas, Pumas, Tigres |
3. | Raúl Cárdenas | 6 | Cruz Azul, Club América |
4. | Antonio Mohamed | 5 | Tijuana, Club América, Monterrey, Toluca |
5. | Víctor Manuel Vucetich | 5 | León, Tecos, Pachuca, Monterrey |
6. | Manuel Lapuente | 5 | Puebla, Necaxa, Club América |
7. | Javier de la Torre | 5 | Chivas |
Alexis Vega Achieved Toluca Immortality in Liga MX Apertura 2025 Championship
Alexis Vega recorded 13 goals and 11 assists across 23 matches to spearhead Toluca's championship-ending campaign in the Clausura 2025, capturing player of the tournament recognition. However, during the Apertura 2025 final, Vega secured his place in club history with a display worthy of cinematic drama.
With 10 minutes remaining in the Apertura 2025 championship, Mohamed deployed his emergency weapon, introducing Vega, who hadn't featured in any match since late October due to physical setbacks.
Vega appeared diminished from his entrance until the conclusion of the 30-minute overtime period, visibly demonstrating he was nowhere near peak condition.
Yet when the tension of the penalty shootout arrived, Toluca's leader confidently converted the team's opening attempt to establish momentum and then coolly deceived Nahuel Guzmán with the season's final kick to achieve eternal glory.
"My physical state wasn't optimal," Vega shared with TUDN following the championship. "I haven't trained alongside my colleagues for several weeks. But this represents my devotion to Toluca, they administered injections so I could participate today with my teammates.
"I understood I was taking an enormous chance of worsening my condition. Currently I feel nothing, but we'll discover how I feel tomorrow morning."
Wearing the No. 9 jersey previously belonging to Toluca's greatest icon, José Saturnino Cardozo, Vega guided Toluca to consecutive championships for the first time in franchise history. After disappointing campaigns with Chivas, complicated by personal controversies, Vega rediscovered his peak form with Toluca and his heroic acts throughout 2025 will remain eternal in club legend.
Toluca will anticipate Vega's complete recovery to compete for additional achievements in 2026. More significantly, 2026 represents a year when Vega is expected to feature prominently in Javier Aguirre's starting eleven, wearing the No.10 jersey when Mexico faces South Africa in the inaugural match of the 2026 World Cup.