On the evening of May 7, 2025, the atmosphere was electric at Estadio BBVA as Club de Fútbol Monterrey hosted Toluca for the first leg of the quarterfinals in the Liga MX Clausura 2025 playoffs. Fans filled the stands, eagerly anticipating a thrilling contest between two of Mexico's top teams.
The match kicked off with an unexpected turn of events, as Toluca took an early lead in the 16th minute. A miscommunication in the Monterrey defense led to an own goal by Víctor Guzmán, who inadvertently deflected a cross from Jesús Gallardo into his own net. This put the visitors ahead 1-0, and the home crowd was left stunned.
Despite the setback, Monterrey quickly regrouped and began to assert their dominance on the field. The Rayados, managed by Martín Demichelis, pressed forward in search of an equalizer. However, they faced a resilient Toluca defense, which was determined to maintain their advantage.
As the first half approached its conclusion, Monterrey's persistence paid off. In the 44th minute, Colombian forward Nelson Deossa, who had been a constant threat throughout the half, struck a magnificent shot from 30 meters out. The ball sailed past Toluca's goalkeeper Pau López, leveling the score at 1-1. The goal sent the home fans into a frenzy and breathed new life into Monterrey's performance.
The second half began with Monterrey carrying the momentum from Deossa's equalizer. Just five minutes after the restart, in the 50th minute, Sergio Canales, returning to the starting lineup after a lengthy injury absence, scored to give Monterrey a 2-1 lead. Canales received a well-placed cross from Stefan Medina and finished expertly, putting the Rayados in front for the first time.
With their confidence soaring, Monterrey continued to press and extended their lead in the 69th minute. Germán Berterame intercepted a pass intended for the Toluca defense, evaded López, and calmly slotted the ball into the empty net, making it 3-1. The Rayados were in control, and it seemed as though they were on their way to a comfortable victory.
However, Toluca refused to go down without a fight. In the 82nd minute, they managed to pull one back when Luan scored with a powerful header from a free kick taken by Alexis Vega. This brought the score to 3-2, keeping Toluca's hopes alive as they headed into the second leg.
As the final whistle blew, Monterrey celebrated their hard-fought victory, but the close scoreline left the tie delicately poised for the return match. The aggregate score favored Monterrey, but with Toluca's away goal, the series remained wide open.
Looking ahead, both teams will face off again on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Estadio Nemesio Diez in Toluca. The stakes couldn't be higher, as the winner will advance to the semifinals of the Liga MX playoffs. With the first leg having set the stage for an intense showdown, fans can expect another thrilling encounter as both teams vie for a spot in the next round.
In summary, the first leg of the quarterfinals showcased the resilience and skill of both Monterrey and Toluca. With a score of 3-2 in favor of Monterrey, the upcoming match promises to be a nail-biter as the two teams battle it out for playoff supremacy.
