Toluca Extends Undefeated Streak with 3-1 Victory Over Ciudad Juárez
Toluca, Mexico, March 8 – The two-time champion Toluca solidified its position as the only undefeated team in the Liga MX Clausura tournament after a commanding 3-1 victory over Ciudad Juárez at home on Sunday. The win places the Red Devils in second position with 24 points, just one point behind league leader Cruz Azul.
The goals for Toluca came in the second half, with Helinho, Antonio Briseño, and Paulinho finding the back of the net. Brazilian midfielder Helinho opened the scoring in the 54th minute from the penalty spot. The decision was made after a VAR review confirmed a foul by Colombian Moisés Mosquera on Briseño inside the box.
Briseño and Paulinho Secure the Win
Defender Antonio Briseño extended Toluca’s lead in the 70th minute with a powerful header from a free-kick delivered by Sebastián Córdova. Ciudad Juárez quickly responded a minute later when Guilherme Castilho scored with a close-range shot from a precise cross by Rodolfo Pizarro, narrowing the deficit to 2-1.
However, Paulinho, the reigning three-time Liga MX top scorer, sealed the victory for Toluca in the eighth minute of added time. His exquisite finish from a pass by Marcel Ruiz marked his sixth goal of the championship.
The match was not without its controversial moments. Referee Luis Enrique Santander was called to the VAR booth a second time to review a stomp by Toluca defender Diego Zaragoza on José Luis Rodríguez in the 60th minute. After several minutes of deliberation, the action was not deemed a foul.
Unbeaten Run Continues, Juárez Struggles
Toluca’s impressive unbeaten run now spans 21 league matches, with their last defeat dating back to a 1-0 loss against Cruz Azul in the sixth round of the Apertura 2025 tournament. Ciudad Juárez, on the other hand, remains outside of the playoff zone, sitting in 12th position with 10 points.
Argentine coach Antonio Mohamed made several rotations to the Toluca squad, with an eye on their upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup first-leg match against San Diego FC of the MLS on Wednesday. Despite resting several key starters, including Paulinho, Toluca created the better chances in the first half.
Franco Rosi had a header disallowed in the final minutes of the first half due to a foul by the Uruguayan striker. Star midfielder Alexis Vega made his season debut for the Red Devils after recovering from a right knee injury that had sidelined him since the previous campaign. Vega nearly scored in the third minute of added time, with a quality shot that narrowly missed the target.
Vega’s last appearance was as a substitute in the second leg of the Apertura 2025 final against Tigres, where he scored the decisive penalty in the 12th shootout round, securing the title for the Red Devils.
The match concluded the day’s Liga MX action, with the Tijuana vs. Santos game scheduled for later. Toluca’s consistent performance and undefeated status underscore their strong contention for the Clausura title, while Ciudad Juárez faces an uphill battle to secure a playoff spot.
