Katia Itzel García Mendoza will be the central referee for the Cruz Azul vs Toluca match this weekend. The Matchday 10 fixture of the Apertura 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, September 26 at the Estadio Banorte.
The appointment marks a particular reunion with Toluca's coach, Antonio 'Turco' Mohamed. In the eighth matchday, during Toluca vs Atlas, García served as the fourth official and had a verbal exchange with the manager. "After the argument, the coach turned around and swiped at the air, and it all remained a simple discussion from a match," Mohamed explained afterwards.
Record with both teams
For Toluca, Katia Itzel's presence has been a good omen in the past. She has refereed four of the Scarlet Devils' matches, with a record of three wins and one draw, remaining undefeated. She also made history by becoming the first woman to officiate a Liga MX Liguilla match, specifically the Apertura 2025 quarter-finals between Toluca and Juárez.
Her record with Cruz Azul is different, however. In the two matches she has refereed for the Sky Blues, they have won on both occasions. This stat gains relevance given Toluca's negative streak against their rival: the Devils have not beaten Cruz Azul since the Apertura 2023, tallying three draws and three defeats, including a 3-1 loss in this year's Campeón de Campeones.
Matchday 10 context
Toluca arrives at this fixture as the league leaders, with 19 points after nine matchdays. However, they are coming off an unexpected stumble, losing 3-2 at home to Santos Laguna, a result that ended a run of four consecutive victories. Mohamed's side holds a one-point lead over second place and will look to bounce back in a tough setting. For this clash, the leaders average 2.0 goals per game, while fourth-placed Cruz Azul averages 1.8.
The main referee will be assisted by Jonathan Maximiliano Gómez and Óscar Yahir Barriga Castro, with Aldo Ballesteros Barba as the fourth official. Óscar Macías Romo and Michel Caballero Galicia will operate from the VAR room.
The clash is set for Saturday night, a key duel for both title contenders. Following this match, Cruz Azul will face Atlas next, while Toluca will visit Juárez, fixtures already available in our fixtures calendar.
Read the full report at Record MX
Forward Federico Viñas scored one of Toluca's two goals in the defeat to Santos Laguna, according to verified match data. Viñas netted in the 25th minute with an assist from Alexis Vega. The club confirmed he is the team's top scorer this season, with four goals in seven appearances.
Referee Katia Itzel García was criticized after a challenge by Gonzalo Piovi on Paulinho in Toluca's 3-3 draw with Cruz Azul. Former referee and analyst Fernando ‘El Cantante’ Guerrero questioned the decision on social media. “Piovi escapes a red for this kick with no chance to play the ball,” Guerrero posted. Leaders Toluca, with 20 goals scored this season, maintain their one-point lead at the top.
