The penultimate round of the Liga MX Apertura brought both revival and heartbreak, as several teams saw their playoff dreams dashed while others produced statement victories to keep their hopes alive heading into the final round of fixtures.
Mexico's northern city of Monterrey stole the headlines as its two giants went face-to-face in the latest edition of Clásico Regio as Pumas, Santos Laguna, Atlas and Tijuana all took to the stage in a battle for the final position in the playoffs.
This is everything that happened in Liga MX Apertura, Matchday 16.
Friday 31st October 2025
Necaxa 4-1 Santos Laguna
Los Rayos kept their faintest of playoff hopes alive by dragging Santos Laguna out of the final postseason position with an emphatic victory. The damage was done in the opening passage with Necaxa three goals to the good as Kevin Rosero made sure to settle the tie on the hour mark. Three points moves Fernando Gago's side to within two points of 10th place, but with five teams between them and a place in the Liguilla, qualification remains a longshot as they head to Mazatlán on the final day.
San Luis 1-2 Juárez
Juárez sealed their place in the next round, though it remains to be seen whether they’ll advance directly or through the play-in, with two late goals, capped off by a dramatic 98th-minute winner from Óscar Estupiñán.
Puebla 0-3 Cruz Azul
Cruz Azul went top with a comfortable win against Puebla, extending their run of one defeat in 16 league matches.
Saturday 1st November 2025
Atlas 0-0 Toluca
Los Rojos Diablos suffered a third-straight draw following the season-ending injury to Alexis Vega, falling to second in the league after becoming the first side to secure qualification to the playoffs. To return to the top they must hope for results to go their way whilst defeating Club América at the Estadio Diez Nemesio.
Monterrey 1-1 Tigres
The headline event: Clásico Regio ended all square, with the sides still separated by just two points going into the final day. Monterrey were reduced to ten men in the 32nd minute when Jorge Rodríguez was shown a straight red card, but Tigres’ numerical advantage didn’t last long; Jesús Angulo was also sent off before half-time. Early in the second half, Sergio Canales put the hosts ahead on the counter, but Tigres hit back through Ángel Correa, who coolly slotted past Santiago Mele to level the score.
Club América 2-0 León
Club América maintain their pressure at the top of the table, going level with Toluca in third place, as Allan Saint-Maximim took the credits with a sublime effort from outside the box, sinking a helpless León side to 17th place.
Sunday 2nd November 2025
Pumas 4-1 Tijuana
Just one point separates the six teams still battling for the final play-in spot, with Pumas the latest to occupy the position. Goals have been scarce for Los Universitarios, who boast one of the quietest attacking records in the league, but they found their rhythm against Los Xolos. JJ Macías, Álvaro Angulo, Rodrigo López, and Rubén Duarte all got on the scoresheet in a crucial victory. However, the celebrations were short-lived as Pumas’ ultras, Los Rebels, gave manager Efraín Juárez a frosty reception at full-time, reflecting their frustration with the team’s overall performance throughout the Apertura.
Querétaro 1-0 Mazatlán
Querétaro moved to within one point of Pumas in 10th with a narrow win over Mazatlán as Ali Avila scored his fifth goal of the season to raise eyebrows as Los Gallos remain involved for the final playoff position. To realise their ambitions, Querétaro must beat Juárez away from home.
Pachuca 0-1 Chivas
Chivas kept their hopes of securing an automatic playoff spot alive as Armando “Hormiga” González struck from outside the box to net the only goal of the game in Hidalgo. The result piles pressure on Los Tuzos, who now need a win against Santos Laguna to secure a home play-in tie, their best chance of joining Chivas in the first round of the playoffs.
Who will make their way into the Liga MX Apertura Liguilla? Let us know!