In a thrilling conclusion to the Liga MX regular season, Xolos de Tijuana delivered a commanding performance against Santos Laguna, clinching a decisive 4-0 victory at Estadio TSM Corona on April 20, 2025. The match, which kicked off at 5:00 PM (CDMX), showcased the Xolos' dominance as they ended their campaign on a high note, much to the delight of their traveling supporters.
The Xolos took control early in the match, with Frank Boya scoring the opener in the 16th minute with a well-placed header from a corner kick. This set the tone for a match where Tijuana appeared more aggressive and cohesive on the pitch. Just before halftime, Kevin Castañeda doubled the lead, finishing off a fine cross from Ramiro Árciga, leaving Santos fans in despair.
As the second half commenced, Tijuana continued to press their advantage. Raúl Zúñiga, who has been a standout performer throughout the tournament, scored the third goal in the 78th minute, capitalizing on an assist from Aaron Mejía. Zúñiga's goal not only solidified the Xolos' lead but also tied him with two other players for the tournament's top scorer title.
In the dying moments of the match, Zúñiga struck again, netting his second of the game at the 88th minute to round off the scoreline at 4-0. His impressive performance was a fitting end to the season for Tijuana, who had struggled earlier but found their rhythm just in time.
On the other side, Santos Laguna faced a disappointing end to their campaign. Despite having home advantage, they failed to convert several opportunities and were unable to find the back of the net. The home crowd, which had hoped for a strong finish, left the stadium frustrated as their team finished at the bottom of the Liga MX table.
Earlier in the day, Club América also made headlines by snapping their five-game winless streak with a resounding 5-0 victory over Mazatlán FC. This win secured them a second-place finish in the league and highlighted their potential as they head into the playoffs. Dávila and Fidalgo each scored twice, while Aguirre marked his return from injury with a goal of his own. However, the match was marred by an injury concern for goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón, who was substituted at halftime due to an ankle sprain.
Club América's head coach, Andre Jardine, provided an update on Malagón's condition post-match, stating, "I’m not worried about Luis; we’ll assess him and see how he feels. We have depth in our squad, and I’m confident we can manage any situation that arises." His team’s emphatic win certainly boosted morale, setting them up nicely for the upcoming playoff matches.
As the regular season comes to a close, the focus now shifts to the playoffs, where the top teams will vie for the championship. With clubs like Club América and Toluca, who finished as the league leaders with 37 points, looking strong, fans can expect an exciting postseason.
In the Toluca vs. Cruz Azul match, which also took place on April 20, 2025, Toluca managed to secure a draw, finishing the regular season as league leaders. Despite a rocky start where they conceded a goal to Gabriel Fernández within the first two minutes, Toluca rallied back with goals from Juan Domínguez and Jesús Gallardo. However, a late equalizer from Carlos Rotondi saw the match end 2-2.
Paulinho, who is in contention for the top scorer award alongside Uros Djurdjevic of Atlas, had a chance to shine but saw a goal disallowed by VAR, a decision that sparked controversy among fans. Nevertheless, Toluca's strong performance throughout the season earned them the top spot, and they will be looking to carry that momentum into the playoffs.
With the Liga MX playoffs set to begin, the excitement is palpable as teams prepare for a battle for glory. The upcoming matches promise to be filled with drama, skill, and the kind of passionate competition that fans have come to love.
