Toluca Top the Table as Liga MX Playoffs and Play-In Matchups Are Set for Apertura 2025

Los Diablos Rojos Finish First as Apertura 2025 Enters Its Decisive Stage

The curtain has fallen on the Liga MX Apertura 2025 regular season, and what a finale it was. From shocking upsets to last-minute drama, the final weekend had everything that makes Mexican football such a spectacle. And when the dust settled, one team stood tallest: Toluca, the fiery Diablos Rojos, who claimed the top spot with style, consistency, and a statement win over defending champions Club América.

Now, as the league transitions from the regular season to the Liguilla and Play-In rounds, the spotlight shines brighter than ever. Six teams have punched their tickets straight to the quarterfinals, while four more will battle for the final two postseason berths in a Play-In format that promises chaos, tension, and unforgettable moments.

With Toluca leading the charge, and heavyweights like Tigres, América, and Cruz Azul breathing down their necks, the Apertura 2025 postseason is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and entertaining in recent memory.

Toluca Finish First — A Statement Season for Los Diablos Rojos

Toluca v America – Torneo Apertura 2025 Liga MX

Few teams have combined flair and efficiency quite like Antonio Mohamed’s Toluca this season. The club capped their remarkable campaign with a 2–0 victory over Club América, powered by goals from Paulinho and Helinho. That result not only sealed their place at the top but also sent a clear message: Toluca aren’t just contenders — they’re the team to beat.

Under Mohamed’s pragmatic yet attacking philosophy, Toluca have found a near-perfect balance. With 37 points from 11 wins, four draws, and only two losses, they’ve been the league’s most consistent side from start to finish. Their defense, anchored by Tiago Volpi and Valber Huerta, has been among the stingiest in Liga MX, while their attack, orchestrated by Jean Meneses and Marcel Ruiz, has been relentless in breaking down opponents.

The win against América was the culmination of months of discipline and tactical refinement. Facing the reigning champions, Toluca controlled possession, pressed intelligently, and punished every mistake. It was the kind of performance that wins titles — mature, confident, and full of conviction.

For Mohamed, this achievement carries a special meaning. The Argentine tactician has built a team in his own image: fiery, structured, and capable of rising when the stakes are highest. “We’ve worked hard to be here,” Mohamed told ESPN Deportes post-match. “But finishing first means nothing if we don’t finish the job. The real work starts now.”

América Suffer a Setback, But Their Fire Still Burns

While Club América fell short on the final day, there’s no denying their pedigree. Under André Jardine, Las Águilas have remained a powerhouse, blending attacking flair with one of the league’s most dynamic rosters. Their 2–0 defeat to Toluca was a reminder of how fine the margins are at this level, especially when fatigue and injuries start to take their toll.

América’s late-season wobble coincided with the absences of key players like Henry Martín and José Raúl Zúñiga, both nursing injuries. The upcoming international break could not come at a better time for them. It offers Jardine the chance to regroup, reset, and prepare for the fierce competition that awaits in the Liguilla quarterfinals.

For a team used to playing under immense pressure, the setback may actually serve as fuel. América know how to rise from adversity — and they will have their chance soon enough, with a mouthwatering quarterfinal clash on the horizon against Monterrey.

Tigres, Cruz Azul, América, Monterrey, and Chivas Join Toluca in the Quarterfinals

Chivas v Monterrey – Torneo Apertura 2025 Liga MX

Behind Toluca, the rest of the top six reads like a who’s who of Mexican football royalty. Tigres UANL, led by Robert Dante Siboldi, claimed second place with 36 points after a composed 3–1 victory over Atlético San Luis. Their mix of experience and cutting-edge attacking power, led by André-Pierre Gignac, Sebastián Córdova, and Marcelo Flores, makes them perhaps the biggest threat to Toluca’s crown.

Meanwhile, Cruz Azul — despite a 3–2 defeat to Pumas UNAM — secured third place with 35 points, ensuring a direct quarterfinal berth. The Máquina Cementera have been one of the stories of the season, rebuilding their identity under Martín Anselmi and emerging as a dangerous, possession-dominant side capable of beating anyone on their day.

América, Monterrey, and Chivas round out the top six, each bringing their own narrative and motivation to the playoffs. For Monterrey, consistency has been their calling card; for Chivas, a late surge has reinvigorated their supporters after a rocky start. Each of these clubs has the quality and depth to make a deep run — and each believes this could be their year.

Play-In Drama: Tijuana vs. Juárez and Pachuca vs. Pumas

Mazatlan FC v Pumas UNAM – Torneo Apertura 2025 Liga MX

The introduction of the Play-In format has injected new life into the Liga MX postseason. This system rewards the top six with rest and security, while giving teams seven through ten a last chance to punch their ticket to the Liguilla.

This season, that means four ambitious sides — Tijuana, Juárez, Pachuca, and Pumas — will fight for the final two playoff berths.

Series A will see Tijuana take on FC Juárez, a matchup that brings regional spice and tactical contrast. Tijuana, under Miguel Herrera, have rediscovered their competitive edge, while Juárez have shown resilience despite limited resources. The winner of this match will advance directly to the quarterfinals.

In Series B, Pachuca face Pumas UNAM — and it’s hard to pick a favorite. Pachuca’s youth-driven model has once again produced flashes of brilliance, but Pumas arrive on a high after their dramatic win over Cruz Azul on the final day. That victory not only secured their Play-In spot but also boosted morale inside a locker room that had begun to doubt itself.

The loser of Series A will get one more chance, facing the winner of Series B to decide the eighth and final quarterfinal spot. In short, two games could change the course of a season — or end it in heartbreak.

Quarterfinals Set to Begin November 26

Cruz Azul v Pumas UNAM – Torneo Apertura 2025 Liga MX

The stage is set. The Liga MX quarterfinals will kick off on November 26 and 27, with return legs scheduled for December 6 and 7. Fans across Mexico — and around the world — are bracing for what promises to be a thrilling month of knockout football.

The confirmed matchups:

• Cruz Azul vs. Chivas Guadalajara

• América vs. Monterrey

• Tigres vs. Winner of Tijuana vs. Juárez

• Toluca vs. Winner of final Play-In series

Each tie offers its own storyline. Cruz Azul and Chivas, two historic clubs in revival mode, will collide in a clash of tradition and pride. América and Monterrey, both title favorites, will meet in a series that feels more like a final than a quarterfinal. Tigres, ever the postseason specialists, await their challenger — while Toluca, atop the mountain, will look to maintain their momentum against whoever emerges from the Play-In gauntlet.

A League Brimming with Storylines and Possibilities

The Apertura 2025 postseason feels particularly special. It’s not just the quality of the teams — it’s the balance of power, the unpredictability, and the sense that any of the top eight could realistically go all the way.

Toluca’s blend of confidence and control makes them formidable. Tigres, with their experience and attacking depth, look perfectly equipped for knockout football. América, wounded but dangerous, will be desperate to reassert their dominance. And Cruz Azul, so often the league’s great enigma, seem to have rediscovered their steel.

Even the outsiders — Chivas, Pumas, or a surprise like Juárez — carry that sense of momentum that can make all the difference in the compressed, chaotic format of Liga MX playoffs.

Looking Ahead: Fire, Passion, and Glory Await

When the Liguilla begins on November 26, the intensity will rise to another level. For fans, this is the time of year that defines everything — where entire seasons are judged by the bounce of a ball, a single refereeing decision, or a moment of brilliance.

As Toluca chase their first title since 2010, the pressure is immense. Yet so too is the opportunity. A league that thrives on parity and passion is once again ready to deliver its trademark drama.

From Monterrey’s powerhouse ambitions to América’s bid for redemption, from Cruz Azul’s steady resurgence to Pumas’ wild-card energy — the Apertura 2025 playoffs promise nothing less than fireworks.

In a league built on unpredictability, one thing is certain: Mexico’s football carnival is about to begin again.