Liga MX Clausura - 5
Toluca 1 - 1 FT Cruz Azul
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
41' Paulinho (J. Gallardo)
HT
↓ O. Campos ↑J. Rodarte 46'
53' ↓ N. Castro ↑P. Perez
↓ M. Levy ↑C. Ebere 64'
Erik Lira 71'
↓ C. Rodriguez ↑L. Romero 73'
↓ J. Marquez ↑A. Morales 73'
75' ↓ S. Simon ↑D. Barbosa
75' ↓ J. Angulo ↑S. Cordova
Luka Romero 76'
J. Paradela (C. Ebere) 77'
↓ J. Paradela ↑A. Garcia 82'
88' ↓ F. Romero ↑F. Rossi
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Toluca
Goalkeepers
H. Gonzalez 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
S. Simon 
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
27%
Pass Acc
F. Pereira 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Bruno Mendez 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
80%
Duel Win %
E. del Villar
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
J. Gallardo
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
32%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
BENCH
L. Garcia 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
D. Barbosa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Isais
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Cordova
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
P. Perez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
41
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Diaz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
V. Arteaga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
O. Virgen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Rossi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
6
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Cruz Azul
Goalkeepers
A. Gudino
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Midfielders
O. Campos
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
A. Palavecino
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Marquez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
C. Rotondi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
J. Paradela 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
M. Levy
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
64
Total Mins
64
Entry
C. Rodriguez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
BENCH
E. Ochoa
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
A. Montano
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Garcia
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Morales
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
E. Sanchez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Gonzalez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Valdez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Romero
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Ebere
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Rodarte
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/24/2025 | Cruz Azul | 1 - 0 | Toluca | Liga MX | Estadio Olímpico Universitario |
| 04/20/2025 | Toluca | 2 - 2 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Nemesio Díez |
| 07/21/2024 | Cruz Azul | 1 - 1 | Toluca | Liga MX | Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes |
| 04/28/2024 | Toluca | 0 - 1 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Nemesio Díez |
| 07/08/2023 | Cruz Azul | 0 - 2 | Toluca | Liga MX | Estadio Azteca |
| 02/12/2023 | Toluca | 3 - 1 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | Estadio Nemesio Díez |
Toluca Win
Cruz Azul Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 5 GD: +6
P: 5 GD: +5
P: 5 GD: +3
P: 5 GD: +1
P: 5 GD: +5
P: 5 GD: +3
P: 5 GD: +1
P: 5 GD: +1
P: 5 GD: +4
P: 5 GD: +1
P: 5 GD: 0
P: 5 GD: 0
P: 5 GD: -1
P: 5 GD: -3
P: 5 GD: -3
P: 5 GD: -3
P: 5 GD: -12
League Standings
P: 17 GD: +17
P: 17 GD: +16
P: 17 GD: +13
P: 17 GD: +6
P: 17 GD: +12
P: 17 GD: -2
P: 17 GD: +10
P: 17 GD: +3
P: 17 GD: +2
P: 17 GD: -10
P: 17 GD: -4
P: 17 GD: -6
P: 17 GD: -2
P: 17 GD: -3
P: 17 GD: -6
P: 17 GD: -15
P: 17 GD: -13
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
A Gritty Stalemate at the Summit
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 26/100. This top-of-the-table clash promised fireworks but delivered a tense, tactical grind that leaves both sides firmly locked in the playoff hunt.
The Opening Act
Estadio Nemesio Diez hosted a crunch match between two heavyweights eyeing the summit of the Liga MX table. Toluca controlled possession in the early stages, patiently probing a resolute defensive block. The Intensity of the opening half was defined by physical midfield battles rather than free-flowing attacking football. Despite the tactical gridlock, the hosts found their breakthrough just before the interval. In the 41st minute, Paulinho shattered the deadlock, finishing off a precise delivery from J. Gallardo. It was a moment of sheer quality in an otherwise gritty, slow-burning half. The home side went into the dressing room with a narrow advantage, looking well-positioned to leapfrog their rivals in the standings, while the visitors knew they had to drastically alter their approach.
The Pivot
The second half saw a significant shift as Cruz Azul emerged from the tunnel with renewed purpose. A barrage of 24 combined shots turned the pitch into a chaotic shooting gallery, yet only nine truly tested the keepers. The Balance of the match wavered as the visitors pressed higher up the pitch, forcing the hosts into uncomfortable defensive situations. Santiago Simón was an absolute anchor for the home side, putting in a masterclass performance from the backline and distributing four key passes to relieve the mounting pressure. Despite his heroic efforts to maintain order and structure, the momentum undeniably swung toward the trailing side. The tactical shifts created wide-open spaces, leading to a frantic, end-to-end spectacle.
Resolution
The relentless pressure finally fractured the home defense deep into the second half. In the 77th minute, J. Paradela seized his moment, slotting home a crucial equalizer following a sharp assist from C. Ebere. This pivotal strike effectively killed the hosts' momentum and ensured a share of the spoils in this high-stakes encounter. Our take is that while the pre-match hype promised a blockbuster, the reality was a gruelling, attritional war that highlighted the defensive grit of both title contenders. The 1-1 final scoreline leaves the visitors sitting comfortably in second place with 27 points, keeping a narrow one-point cushion over their rivals in third. Both squads remain securely entrenched in the playoff zone.
Key Questions
Who scored the goals in this match?
Paulinho opened the scoring for Toluca in the 41st minute, and J. Paradela equalized for Cruz Azul in the 77th minute.
Who was the standout performer?
Toluca's Santiago Simón earned top honors with a stellar defensive performance, also contributing heavily to the buildup with four key passes.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Top-Tier Showdown at Estadio Nemesio Diez
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 75/100. With a single point separating these two title contenders, this blockbuster is a genuine six-pointer that will reshape the top of the Liga MX table.
The Setup
Both teams are riding identical hot streaks into Estadio Nemesio Diez. A surging Form rating highlights their shared momentum, with both sides boasting three consecutive victories to cement their place at the summit. Toluca’s defensive solidity—conceding just seven goals so far—anchors their impressive Balance, but they face a monumental task today. Cruz Azul arrives with a league-leading offense that has already plundered 23 goals, pushing the Stakes to a fever pitch. With second place and vital momentum on the line, the margins for error are virtually nonexistent.
Key Battle
Helinho against José Paradela. Toluca's creative spark, Helinho, has been electric in recent outings, consistently unpicking defenses and driving his team forward. He faces a direct challenge from Paradela, whose attacking output and sheer influence give the visitors a massive edge in the Stars department. The midfielder who successfully dictates the tempo in the central areas will ultimately decide this contest.
Our Prediction
Expect a tight, tactical chess match that eventually explodes into life. Cruz Azul's relentless attacking depth might just edge it, securing a narrow 2-1 away victory by striking late on the counter-attack.