{"id":660800,"date":"2025-10-24T11:00:28","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T15:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=660800"},"modified":"2025-10-26T23:21:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T03:21:33","slug":"liga-mx-apertura-playoff-race-toluca-tigres-among-five-teams-already-qualified","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/10\/24\/liga-mx-apertura-playoff-race-toluca-tigres-among-five-teams-already-qualified\/","title":{"rendered":"Liga MX Apertura Playoff Race: Toluca, Tigres Among Five Teams Already Qualified"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>With three matchdays left in the 2025 Liga MX Apertura season, five of the ten playoff spots have already been claimed in what has been one of the most <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/09\/13\/anthony-martial-allan-saint-maximin-new-stars-liga-mx\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">star-studded seasons<\/a> in recent Mexican football history.<\/p>\n<h2>Defending Champions Toluca Lead the Way<\/h2>\n<p>Toluca, champions of the 2025 Clausura season, have finished in the top two of the regular season table in both halves of the 2024\u201325 campaign. Their squad is arguably their strongest in over a decade, boasting offensive firepower that consistently outpaces the rest of Liga MX.<\/p>\n<p>After back-to-back wins over Club Am\u00e9rica to close out the last campaign, their only losses in 14 games have come against fellow playoff-qualified sides, Cruz Azul and Tigres UANL. Manager Antonio \u201cTurco\u201d Mohamed leads a side that has scored 39 goals \u2014 nine more than any other team in the league. Portuguese forward Paulinho has netted 10 goals, while El Tri international <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msn.com\/en-gb\/sport\/fifa_world_cup\/he-ll-have-an-incredible-tournament-toluca-manager-antonio-mohamed-backs-alexis-vega-to-shine-for-mexico-in-2026-world-cup\/ar-AA1OCdTk\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alexis Vega<\/a> has contributed eight assists. Argentine Midfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.transfermarkt.com\/nicolas-castro\/profil\/spieler\/565899\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nicol\u00e1s Castro<\/a>, 24, who transferred from Elche in Spain\u2019s second division, has also been a standout.<\/p>\n<p>Toluca\u2019s most entertaining match this season was a 6\u20132 demolition of Monterrey at home in September. The Red Devils ran riot in an end-to-end affair, eventually dismantling Monterrey\u2019s fragile backline, while Sergio Ramos had a panenka penalty saved for what would have been a 2-0 lead. Toluca remain the team to beat as they face Pachuca, Atlas, and a final regular-season home match against Club Am\u00e9rica.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"TOLUCA 6-2 RAYADOS J10 | \u00a1Goleada Infernal del Campe\u00f3n al L\u00edder en el Nemesio Diez! | Apertura 2025\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hhQXeFCKLrY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Liga MX\u2019s Biggest-Spending Clubs Set the Standard<\/h3>\n<p>The remaining qualified teams are among Liga MX\u2019s top spenders, all investing heavily in international talent. Club Am\u00e9rica, while slightly dimmed after three consecutive titles, have stabilized under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.soyfutbol.com\/en\/news\/andre-jardine-acknowledges-americas-flaws-and-highlights-the-grit-that-led-them-to-victory-over-puebla-20251022-0009.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">manager Andr\u00e9 Jardine<\/a> with a 9-3-2 record. Their only defeats came against rivals Cruz Azul and Chivas. Pressure has mounted after failing to qualify for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, losing to MLS side LAFC, and losing in the Super Cup, but the squad\u2019s depth keeps them in contention.<\/p>\n<p>El Tri international goalkeeper Luis Malag\u00f3n continues to fight for <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/10\/15\/warning-signs-for-mexico-canada-ecuador-after-disappointing-international-window\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Mexico\u2019s starting spot<\/a> ahead of the World Cup, while USMNT\u2019s Alex Zendejas has eight goal involvements. Frenchman Allan Saint-Maximin is still adapting to his new team, and previously valuable striker Henry Mart\u00edn, 32, has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msn.com\/en-gb\/sport\/football\/club-am%C3%A9rica-striker-henry-mart%C3%ADn-ruled-out-for-cl%C3%A1sico-joven-against-cruz-azul\/ar-AA1OC9T0\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">battled a knee injury<\/a> limiting his appearances. Am\u00e9rica will need a fully healthy squad, and the right mental fortitude for their playoff push.<\/p>\n<p>Cruz Azul\u2019s final regular-season test of note comes against Monterrey. La M\u00e1quina (8-5-1) have struggled for consistency, winning only once in their last five games \u2014 that victory was against Am\u00e9rica. Colombian international keeper Kevin Mier has been inconsistent, but defender Willer Ditta remains a rock at the back. Gabriel Fern\u00e1ndez and \u00c1ngel Sep\u00falveda carry the attacking load, but Cruz Azul will need to unlock more goals to thrive in the postseason.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\ud83d\udd25\u26bd \u00a1Willer DITTA, DEFENSA CENTRAL del A\u00d1O! \ud83d\udee1\ufe0f\ud83d\udc99 El muro de Cruz Azul en la Liga MX | TUDN\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yYArEaE8xfU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Cl\u00e1sico Regio to Decide a Possible Top 2 Finish<\/h3>\n<p>Monterrey Rayados and Tigres UANL will clash in the Clasico Regio, a matchup that could be decisive for playoff positioning. Both teams <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/golesycifrasmx\/status\/1981420361653551518\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">lead Liga MX in attendance<\/a> and often top payrolls as well \u2014 in Monterrey, this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5410355\/2024\/04\/17\/derby-days-mexico-monterrey-tigres-clasico-regiomontano\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">rivalry isn\u2019t just a game<\/a>, it\u2019s a conversation at workplaces, family dinners, and social gatherings for years. This year\u2019s Clasico is set for Monterrey\u2019s Estadio BBVA, one of the 2026 World Cup host stadiums.<\/p>\n<p>Tigres enter the match in slightly better form, just a point behind Monterrey. They have conceded only 14 goals while scoring 29. Under first-time but rapidly improving manager Guido Pizarro, Tigres are undefeated in Liga MX, with a recent 5\u20133 win over Necaxa showcasing a more fluid attacking style.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\ud83d\udcf9 Resumen Liga MX | Tigres 5-3 Necaxa | Jornada 13 | Apertura 2025\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pp49jzMe5vc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Veteran Argentine goalkeeper Nahuel Guzm\u00e1n, 39, remains one of Latin America\u2019s finest. The squad isn&#8217;t easy to score against or break down, and Argentine forward \u00c1ngel Correa, a summer transfer from Atl\u00e9tico Madrid, has contributed five goals and three assists, forming a potent partnership with a third Argentine Juan Brunetta, 28, who has eight goals this season. Diego Lainez continues to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1xC2T_ruX8I\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">fight for a spot<\/a> on El Tri\u2019s World Cup roster, while Andr\u00e9-Pierre Gignac provides leadership, even if he is no longer the squad\u2019s primary striker at nearly 40 years old.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Juan Brunetta - The Maestro of the Midfield -  2025\u1d34\u1d30\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gS2mrto1tBo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Tigres are favored to defeat Tijuana Xolos and Atl\u00e9tico San Luis in two of their final three fixtures, making the November 1 Clasico crucial for securing a top-two finish.<\/p>\n<h3>Will Monterrey Rayados Remain Top Four?<\/h3>\n<p>Monterrey, managed by Domenec Torrent, field a veteran \u201cwin-now\u201d squad after reaching the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/07\/02\/what-the-fifa-club-world-cup-meant-for-monterrey-rayados\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">knockout stage<\/a> of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Uruguay\u2019s Santiago Mele has improved the goalkeeper position, Colombian <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Rayados\/status\/1980836738030616613\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stefan Medina continues to hit milestones<\/a>, and 39-year-old captain Sergio Ramos remains a defensive anchor, leading the team in minutes played while contributing two goals from forward runs and penalties. European stars Sergio Canales (seven goal involvements) and Oliver Torres (five) control midfield, while new El Tri player <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ole.com.ar\/usa\/seleccion-mexico\/german-berterame-hablo-primer-gol-seleccion-mexicana-monterrey_0_QD24Xn1yaL.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">German Berterame<\/a> and Argentine Lucas Ocampos lead the attack with nine and eleven goal involvements, respectively, both players improving significantly from last season.<\/p>\n<p>The Rayados face a tough finish to the regular season, playing Cruz Azul, Tigres, and Chivas. Their defense has conceded more than any other playoff-eligible team making games entertaining but high risk, like a 2-2 draw with America earlier this season. Unlocking marquee transfer Anthony Martial, who has yet to score or assist in six appearances, will be key. Martial has <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SomosRayados\/status\/1981448384335458378\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">shown flashes of promise<\/a> with his new team but also frustration.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Resumen completo: Monterrey 2 vs. 2 Am\u00e9rica | J9, AP25 | Empate en La Sultana del Norte\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qVXcpblR7WI?start=3&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Youngsters like U-23 World Cup participant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fifa.com\/en\/tournaments\/mens\/u20worldcup\/chile-2025\/articles\/fimbres-mexico-chile-victory\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Iker Fimbres<\/a> and 19-year-old Joaqu\u00edn Moxica, who recently scored his first Liga MX goal, could be the X-factor Monterrey needs to avoid a disappointing playoff exit. The Clasico Regio is almost always a thriller, since 2024 Monterrey Rayados is 2-1-2, it&#8217;s narrow margins and high stakes. Players like Canales and Brunetta will be aiming for magical golazos that will live long in the memory.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u00a1QU\u00c9 JOYA DE GOL! Canales lo FIRM\u00d3 | Monterrey 2-0 Tigres | Liga Mx -AP2024 - J12 | TUDN\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lBp7tIxAuIg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Revitalized Chivas and Tijuana Fight for Play-In Spots<\/h3>\n<p>Tijuana Xolos, home to <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/07\/06\/raul-jimenez-and-mexico-secure-2nd-consecutive-gold-cup\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Mexican Gold Cup<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/10\/06\/u-20-world-cup-spain-france-argentina-round-of-16\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">U-23 World Cup<\/a> wonderkid Gilberto Mora, have built around him effectively. Kevin Casta\u00f1eda has seven goal involvements, and Mora has three goals in 10 games. With upcoming matches against Tigres, Pumas UNAM, and Atlas, Xolos aim to avoid the play-in and finish sixth or better. The borderland side has <a href=\"https:\/\/eastvillagetimes.com\/tijuana-xolos-split-points-with-toluca-in-uneventful-0-0-draw\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">taken advantage of the opportunity<\/a> to gain points in their home games this season.<\/p>\n<p>Chivas Guadalajara, currently eighth, have surged with four wins in five games, their season was finally kickstarted 2\u20131 Clasico Nacional victory over Club Am\u00e9rica. Their backline is young, while goalkeeper Ra\u00fal Rangel is 25. Efrain \u00c1lvarez, 23, recently transferred from Xolos, has four goal involvements, and Armando Gonz\u00e1lez has seven goals. Both teams are showing promising signs for the future, even if inconsistency limits their potential right now.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"AM\u00c9RICA 1-2 CHIVAS J8 | Un Piojo y un Otaku pintan el Cl\u00e1sico de Rojiblanco | Apertura 2025\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OGiKYpGMfJk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>The Fight for Playoff Positioning<\/h3>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2241726300\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/2241726300?et=sh64pOmqTEVGAdZ3GPnctg&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=KFhepDS5NdyKIiEtaDkI6_JLjRr3jjjBfCR4T3A095g=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The battle for the final play-in spots (7-10) is intense. Tijuana sits sixth on goal differential, tied on points with Pachuca, who have a 6-3-5 record. Pachuca\u2019s squad includes U-23 World Cup participant El\u00edas Montiel, but they lack a dominant striker. Enner Valencia has only played six games, even though he still leads <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/09\/05\/colombia-and-paraguay-confirm-2026-world-cup-qualification-venezuela-maintains-faith\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Ecuador&#8217;s strike force<\/a> heading into the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n<p>FC Ju\u00e1rez is ninth, a point behind Chivas and two behind Pachuca and Tijuana. Atletico San Luis and Atlas trail further by three points, while Pumas UNAM, Santos Laguna, and Quer\u00e9taro lag behind for the final play-in position. James Rodriguez and Club Le\u00f3n has slumped to 16th, and rumors persist about last place <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elimparcial.com\/deporte\/2025\/09\/27\/el-club-puebla-podria-desaparecer-de-la-liga-mx-en-2026-la-multipropiedad-y-el-nombre-de-ricardo-salinas-pliego-amenazan-a-la-franja\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Puebla being sold<\/a>, while Necaxa, the focus of an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/latino\/eva-longoria-necaxa-fx-series-soccer-mexico-rcna223657\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">FX documentary<\/a>, occupy 17th place.<\/p>\n<p>Pumas, despite having Costa Rican legend Keylor Navas in goal, have struggled to regenerate their performance under manager Efra\u00edn Ju\u00e1rez. Welsh international Aaron Ramsey has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.soyfutbol.com\/en\/news\/disappointing-stint-in-liga-mx-aaron-ramsey-could-be-pumas-first-winter-departure-20251021-0040.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">been ineffective for his new club<\/a>, though he embraced the opportunity to play and live in Mexico.<\/p>\n<p>The divide between Liga MX\u2019s top clubs and the rest of the league is stark. With the top teams securing playoff berths, they can now partially rest and recuperate key players, while the middle of the table continues to battle for survival and positioning. The league is seeing increased coverage in English, as <a href=\"https:\/\/en.as.com\/soccer\/new-broadcast-deal-brings-liga-mx-to-more-us-fans-n\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CBS Sports Golazo picked up rights<\/a> to broadcast select games in the United States in English.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Credit: Imago Images copyright: xJosexHernandezx<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With three matchdays left in the 2025 Liga MX Apertura season, five of the ten playoff spots have already been claimed in what has been one of the most star-studded seasons in recent Mexican football history. Defending Champions Toluca Lead the Way Toluca, champions of the 2025 Clausura season, have finished in the top two [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1442,"featured_media":660816,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[30,2],"tags":[32522,32528,32521,32533,32384,4415,32415,32525,32532,32531],"class_list":["post-660800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-featured","tag-chivas","tag-chivas-guadalajara","tag-club-america","tag-cruz-azul","tag-liga-mx","tag-monterrey","tag-monterrey-rayados","tag-tigres","tag-tigres-uanl","tag-toluca"],"modified_by":"Steen Kirby","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/660800","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1442"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=660800"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/660800\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":660852,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/660800\/revisions\/660852"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/660816"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=660800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=660800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=660800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}