Deportivo Toluca retained top spot in the Apertura 2026 after a thrilling 3-3 draw away to Cruz Azul at the Estadio Azteca. A brace from Alexis Vega and a penalty from Helinho were not enough for victory, as Gabriel Fernández forced a share of the points with a 95th-minute equaliser.
With this point, the team from the State of Mexico now has 20 points and maintains a four-point cushion over the sky-blue side, who sit sixth. The result confirms Toluca's strong form, taking them to 19 points from nine matches and keeping them one point clear of Guadalajara at the summit of the overall standings.
A Rollercoaster at the Azteca
Cruz Azul started with greater intensity and took an early lead. In the seventh minute, José Paradela slipped a pass through to Nicolás Ibáñez, who beat Luis García. The hosts doubled their advantage in the 38th, when Paradela provided another assist, this time for Gabriel Fernández to head home. Toluca reacted after the break. In the 55th, Helinho converted a penalty after being fouled himself. Almost immediately, in the 56th, the same Brazilian played a precise pass to Alexis Vega, who levelled the match with a left-footed strike.
The comeback was completed in the 78th minute. Nicolás Castro won the ball in midfield and released Vega, who finished with composure to make it 2-3. However, Cruz Azul refused to surrender. In stoppage time, a cross from Andrés Montaño found Fernández again, who headed home to seal the 3-3 final score. "The Uruguayan Gabriel Fernández scored a pair of goals this Saturday to give champion Cruz Azul a 3-3 draw with Toluca," the striker said after the match.
Manager Antonio Mohamed made key changes, including introducing Érick Gutiérrez at the start of the second half to bring more balance to midfield. The team showed character to come back from 2-0 down, though the defence wavered at the last. The leaders' next assignment is a trip to face 16th-placed Tigres UANL on October 10th. The full schedule for the final stretch of the tournament is available in our fixtures section.
The 3-3 draw on September 26th against Cruz Azul continues to generate controversy. According to journalist Carlos Ponce de León, within the Cruz Azul camp there is a perception that Toluca's manager, Antonio Mohamed, approached the referees at halftime to complain. The information indicates they believe this "could have influenced the development of the match," although the club has not filed a formal complaint. The league leader, with 19 points, visits Tigres on October 10th.
