On March 15, 2025, the Liga MX matchup at Cuauhtémoc Stadium saw Puebla FC taking on the stronger side, Deportivo Toluca FC, ending with Puebla suffering a heavy defeat of 3-0. This loss marked another unfortunate chapter for Puebla, currently languishing at 16th place, struggling to find form.
Deportivo Toluca, sitting fourth with 21 points, entered the match determined to continue their successful run after recently thrashing América 5-2. Puebla, on the other hand, had not won since February 21, 2025, and was desperate to avoid extending their streak of losses, which had now reached three following defeats against Pachuca, Querétaro, and Pumas. The stakes were high, with fans hoping for any sign of resurgence.
The game began energetically, but it was Toluca’s Jesús Gallardo who opened the scoring early, netting the first goal just 15 minutes in with a left-footed shot from outside the box. This early setback did little to dispel the confidence of Toluca, who dominated the game stat-wise with 27 goals scored over their season.
Despite creating some opportunities, including shots from Ricardo Marín and Facundo Waller, Puebla found it exceptionally tough to breach Toluca’s defense, especially against Pau López, the opposing goalkeeper, who made several saves throughout the match. After Paulinho added to the scoring in the 57th minute, converting on the rebound of the ball, the hosts' outlook dimmed significantly.
Adding to their woes, Juan Fedorco of Puebla conceded a penalty for his foul on Paulinho, which allowed Alexis Vega to convert from the spot, putting Toluca 3-0 up at the 62-minute mark. This penalty illustrated the mounting pressure on Puebla as they struggled to contain their opponents.
Puebla’s squad appeared overwhelmed. Their coach, Pablo Guede, noted the team's desperate need for motivation and improvement. “We are in a lot of pain. Sometimes, it’s difficult to get results,” Guede expressed, indicating the team’s urgency to revitalize their performance. The frustrations were palpable; home fans booed as the match progressed, voicing their disappointment with the lack of effort shown on the field.
The second half saw Puebla attempt to regroup with substitutions, bringing Emiliano Gómez and Bryan Garnica onto the pitch. These changes stemmed from hope rather than strategic assertion, as any attempts at resurgence fizzled against Toluca's well-organized defense.
Yellow cards were issued to multiple players throughout the match, including Franco Moyano and Luis Quiñones from Puebla, signaling the match's increasingly physical nature as tensions grew. With each minute passing, the crowd’s disillusionment grew, leaving many fans leaving their seats and calling for clear changes at the managerial level.
At the final whistle, Toluca emerged victorious with clear stats on the board: three goals against the home team's none, and impressive possession rates indicated their dominance. Puebla’s stats reflected their shaky performance, with only 12 goals scored all season so far and having allowed 17. With the dismal performance, pressure started mounting on Pablo Guede, with questions swirling around their tactical decisions and the potential need for managerial changes.
Analyst Felipe Ramos Rizo commented on the refereeing decisions made during the match, pointing out, “What a start to the matchday; penalty for Toluca not called,” reflecting on the controversy surrounding the missed penalty call earlier and how it might have shifted the momentum.
Whistles and boos echoed through the stands of Cuauhtémoc as fans reflected on the match's failure to meet their expectations after strong efforts to support their team. This defeat marked yet another reminder of Puebla’s chronic struggles this season. They languish near the bottom of the league standings, with little optimism and calls for strategic overhauls growing louder.
With this bout, Puebla finds themselves boxed deep with their backs against the wall as the league season presses forward. How they recover from this devastating result and address their performance issues will be pivotal as they aim for respectability and to avoid relegation. The road may not be easy, but solid teamwork and effective strategies are required to inspire the loyal fan base and salvage their season.
For Deportivo Toluca, the victory reaffirms their status as strong contenders this season. Players like Alexis Vega and Paulinho shone brightly, contributing significantly to their lead. With the top of the table still achievable, Toluca aims to carry this momentum forward as they push for playoff positioning.