Toluca end América’s dream run with dramatic title upset | OneFootball

Toluca halted Club América's bid for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Liga MX title, emerging 2-0 victors in a tense Clausura 2025 final at Estadio Nemesio Diez. The result sees the Diablos Rojos end a 15-year wait for domestic silverware, clinching their eleventh league championship.

The contest began with América dictating the early tempo, maintaining possession and threatening through the flanks. Israel Reyes rattled the woodwork with a first-half effort, while Alejandro Zendejas also came close following a defensive lapse by the hosts. Despite this early dominance, scoring chances for both sides proved infrequent before the break, which arrived goalless.

In the second half, Toluca began to assert themselves. América suffered a setback when leading scorer Henry Martín departed early after picking up a muscular injury, forcing manager André Jardine to summon Rodrigo Aguirre. Though América continued to look for the breakthrough, they struggled to craft clear opportunities.

The match tilted decisively on 65 minutes. Toluca’s Luan García headed in from a corner, rewarding the home side’s attacking ambition and lifting the atmosphere inside the Nemesio Diez. América responded with a raft of attacking substitutions, introducing Diego Valdés, Víctor Dávila, Javairô Dilrosun, and Brian Rodríguez in a bid to turn the tide.

Controversy followed in the 82nd minute. Referee César Arturo Ramos awarded Toluca a penalty when Sebastián Cáceres tangled with Robert Morales. América protested, pointing to a replay that appeared to show Cáceres touching the ball before minimal contact with Morales, but the decision stood. Alexis Vega stepped up, converting the spot kick to secure Toluca’s triumph. The goal was particularly sweet for Vega, previously a runner-up in two previous finals.

América fought on as seven minutes of stoppage time were added but never looked likely to recover. At the whistle, Toluca boss Antonio Mohamed, claiming his fourth Liga MX title with a fourth different club, celebrated emotionally with his backroom staff—a moment reflecting the club’s release after years without a trophy.

For América, the defeat ends dreams of a tetracampeonato, despite the contributions of a core that had delivered three consecutive Liga MX titles, with the likes of Luis Malagón, Sebastián Cáceres, and others on the cusp of making league history. The champions’ coronation also sets up a Club América v Toluca clash in the upcoming Campeón de Campeones, with bragging rights and further silverware at stake.

Source: Mediotiempo, TUDN