The 11th matchday of the Liga MX Apertura 2025 season delivered a whirlwind of surprises, upsets, and shifting fortunes that have left fans buzzing across Mexico. As the dust settles, Monterrey and Tijuana find themselves in the spotlight for very different reasons—one clinging to the top, the other surging with unexpected momentum. With a league table tighter than ever and several coaching shake-ups brewing, this round has set the stage for a thrilling sprint toward the playoffs.
Heading into the weekend, all eyes were on Monterrey as they prepared to face Santos Laguna. On paper, it looked like a straightforward match for the second-placed Monterrey, especially given Santos Laguna’s struggles—sitting at 13th and reeling from a series of losses. But as any seasoned Liga MX observer knows, nothing comes easy in this league. Monterrey fans, perhaps hoping for a comfortable win, were in for a tense afternoon.
It was Lucas Ocampos who settled nerves early, finding the net in the 36th minute to give Monterrey a 1-0 lead. That goal proved decisive, as Monterrey held on for the win. However, the performance wasn’t exactly the dominant display supporters might have expected. According to match reports, Monterrey "looked shaky at best," and while the three points were welcome, the team’s inability to put the game out of reach left many questions unanswered. Notably, Sergio Ramos had two goals recently, but they were overshadowed, and his impact was muted in this outing.
Some have pointed to the absence of Sergio Canales as a possible reason for Monterrey’s lackluster form, but critics aren’t buying it. With a squad valued at nearly $100 million, Monterrey boasts enough depth and talent to overcome such setbacks. Yet, the ghosts of a recent heavy defeat to Toluca seem to linger. "If Santos had had a sharper attack, things could have gone downhill very quickly," one commentator noted, highlighting just how precarious Monterrey’s grip on the upper echelons of the table has become.
Meanwhile, the real drama of the weekend unfolded at the Estadio Caliente, where Tijuana pulled off the upset of the round by defeating Cruz Azul 2-0. This wasn’t just any win—it was the match that ended Cruz Azul’s unbeaten streak and sent shockwaves through the league. The game’s turning point came early, as Cruz Azul’s Jorge Rodarte was sent off in the 5th minute, leaving the visitors with ten men for almost the entire match. Tijuana wasted no time capitalizing, scoring their first goal in the 44th minute and adding a second in the 72nd. Despite controlling only a third of the possession, the Xolos kept Cruz Azul in check, with the home crowd relishing every moment of the upset.
"The atmosphere at the Xolos stadium was electric, with the crowd fully aware of the significance of their team’s ability to disrupt Cruz Azul’s impressive momentum in such a decisive manner," reported one observer. The result propelled Tijuana to fifth place in the standings, an achievement few would have predicted at the start of the season. With Juárez hot on their heels in sixth, both border teams have outperformed traditional giants like León, Pachuca, Chivas, and Pumas, who are now left to ponder where it all went wrong.
It’s not just the players making headlines—coaches are under the microscope as well. Tijuana’s resurgence has been credited to the arrival of Sebastián "El Loco" Abreu, whose trademark energy and tactical nous have turned the Xolos’ home ground into a fortress. Simultaneously, Juárez is making waves under the guidance of Martín Varini, the youngest coach in Liga MX at just 33 years old. The success of these Uruguayan managers stands in stark contrast to the turmoil elsewhere. León made a bold move by parting ways with Argentine Eduardo Berizzo and bringing back Mexican boss Ignacio Ambriza, hoping to ignite a turnaround in their faltering campaign. Rumors are swirling that Jaime Lozano could be next to face the axe, as his team’s underwhelming results have raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.
The battle at the top remains fierce. With Cruz Azul dropping from first to fourth after their defeat, Toluca, Monterrey, and Club América have closed the gap. Toluca’s 3-1 victory over Mazatlán was a statement of intent, featuring goals from Héctor Herrera (who also saw red in stoppage time), a second-half strike, and a late penalty. Even with ten men, Toluca showed they’re not content to let anyone else run away with the title. Club América, meanwhile, dispatched Pumas 4-1, overcoming an early deficit with a flurry of second-half goals that sent their fans home happy.
Elsewhere, Tigres maintained their momentum, defeating Querétaro 2-0 to stay three points clear of sixth-placed Tijuana. The competition for playoff spots is as tight as ever, with only a handful of points separating the top teams. The upper half of the table performed well overall, suffering just one loss among them during the matchday, underscoring the league’s depth and unpredictability.
As for Monterrey, the pressure is mounting. If they hope to keep pace with Toluca and fend off challengers like Club América and Tijuana, they’ll need to recapture the spark that saw them dominate earlier in the season. "Domenech Torrent is going to have to harness the magic of that electric first 45 minutes against America," one analyst suggested, referencing the coach’s challenge to restore Monterrey’s swagger. With the likes of Sergio Ramos and Lucas Ocampos in the squad, the potential is there—but potential alone won’t win championships.
Looking ahead, the next round could bring even more drama. If Cruz Azul bounces back and Tijuana continues their rise, the standings could see another major shake-up. And with the possibility of more coaching changes looming, no one’s future is secure—not on the pitch, and certainly not on the sidelines. The season may be past its halfway point, but the storylines are only getting juicier.
For now, Monterrey and Tijuana represent the two faces of Liga MX: one a traditional powerhouse striving to live up to its billing, the other an underdog relishing the taste of giant-killing glory. As fans gear up for the next round, one thing’s for sure—this Apertura season is far from settled, and every match promises new twists in the race for the crown.
