Toluca thrash Necaxa 3-0 on Liga MX debut with goals from Gallardo, Díaz and Carranza
Toluca kicked off their Apertura 2026 campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over Necaxa on Matchday 2 of Liga MX. The Diablos Rojos delivered defensive solidity and attacking punch, with three standout names on the scoresheet: Jesús Gallardo, Jorge Díaz and Julián Carranza. Néstor Araujo’s side now has 3 points and sits 6th in the standings, just three points behind league leaders Cruz Azul.
How did the game unfold?
The match at Estadio Nemesio Díez started with Toluca dictating play from the outset. After 14 minutes, Jesús Gallardo opened the scoring with a well-worked team move finished with a curling shot. The second goal came at 26 minutes when Jorge Díaz pounced on a defensive error to finish clinically. The third, in the 41st minute, was crafted by Julián Carranza, who finished first time after a cross from Alexis Vega. Necaxa offered little in response, with goalkeeper González forced into at least five saves to prevent a heavier scoreline.
Araujo’s team controlled the tempo with 85 completed passes from Bruno Méndez and high pressing that smothered the visitors. Helinho and Alexis Vega led the attacking charge, while the defense, marshalled by Fernando Arce, kept the home side’s strikers at bay. The midfield duo of Érick Gutiérrez and Víctor Guzmán dictated play with 61 completed passes apiece.
Why this win matters for Toluca
This victory not only hands Toluca their first three points of the season but also reaffirms their identity as an organized and lethal transitional side. With 3 goals scored and just 2 conceded, the Diablos boast a positive goal difference (+1) and a defensive resilience that did not go unnoticed. The win arrives at a crucial moment: Toluca sit three points behind Cruz Azul, the league leaders, keeping their title hopes very much alive.
The collective performance contrasts sharply with last season’s uneven start. Néstor Araujo has managed to field a compact unit where Julián Carranza already has two goals in two games and Jesús Gallardo is cementing his role as a key attacking outlet. The home crowd, which packed Estadio Nemesio Díez, can breathe easy after a promising start that surpasses early expectations.
What’s next for Toluca in Liga MX?
After the international break, Toluca face their next test on 6 August 2026, when they host Seattle Sounders in a friendly warm-up. In the meantime, the team will focus on preparing for Matchday 3, where they’ll aim to maintain their positive momentum. With one win and one loss from their first two games, the Diablos Rojos have made it clear they won’t be an easy side to pass in this Apertura 2026.
Fans can already dream of a side that, at least in these early stages, blends defensive solidity with lethal attacking football. If the level shown is maintained, Toluca could be pushing for more than just a mid-table finish.
