Toluca and Tigres came out on top in their semi final encounters to reach the Liga MX Apertura 2025 Final.
Antonio Mohamed's Toluca became the first side to do so, by fighting back from a first leg deficit, to bring Monterrey's season to a sharp hault.
Sergio Canales' goal was the difference between the sides as Los Rayados went into the reverse fixture with the advantage, but a win of any kind would send Toluca through considering they were the top seed going into the postseason.
Back at the Estadio Nemesio Díez, Toluca opened the scoring within 20 minutes as Federico Periera tapped home from close range before the tie was flipped on its head before the break as Paulinho added to his regular-season hat-trick by giving Toluca an aggregate lead for the first time in the tie.
Monterrey's mission back ever harder when Helinho converted from the spot in the second half but hopes were restored when Sergio Ramos also scored from 12-yards, making it his final goal in his last appearance for the club.
Tigres had enough to see off La Máquina
Honours were shared during the first-leg meeting in the capital, but Tigres' regular season position gave them the advantage heading into the return meeting at El Volcán.
Back in front of their own fans for the second-leg, Tigres made their advantage count when a clever flick from André Pierre-Gignac found its way to Juán Brunetta who expertly finished.
Looking at the face of elimination, Cruz Azul searched for answers and had the chance to level the scoreline when Gabriel Fernández stepped up for a second-half penalty, but saw his effort denied by Nanuel Guzmán to maintain Tigres' aggregate lead.
La Máquina finally put the ball in the back of the net, forcing José Purata to turn into his own net but it was little too late as Tigres manage to hold on, returning to the Liga MX final for the first since their 2023 Clausura triumph, when they managed to defeat Chivas.
Will it be title number 13 for reigning champions Toluca, or can Tigres mount a major surprise to sit at the top of Mexican football for the ninth time? Let us know!
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