Toluca FC produced a stunning second-half comeback to draw 3-3 with Cruz Azul at the Estadio Azteca. The Diablos Rojos, the Liga MX leaders, overturned a two-goal deficit in a dramatic match that ensures they head into the FIFA break at the summit of the table.
A difficult first half
The reigning champions, Cruz Azul, started stronger and took an early lead. In the seventh minute, José Paradela found Nicolás Ibáñez, who finished precisely to open the scoring. La Máquina extended their advantage before the break. In the 38th minute, Uruguayan striker Gabriel Fernández headed home a cross from Ibáñez, leaving Toluca with a mountain to climb. Joel Huiqui's side seemed absent from the pitch during the first 45 minutes.
The Devils' resurgence
Everything changed after half-time. The transformation began from the penalty spot. Willer Ditta fouled a Toluca attacker inside the box, and referee Katia Itzel García pointed to the spot after a VAR review. Brazilian forward Helinho converted the penalty in the 55th minute, sparking hope. Almost immediately, just a minute later, Alexis Vega latched onto an assist from Helinho to level the match with a powerful strike. The stadium fell silent as the red-clad players celebrated their resurrection.
Toluca completed the comeback in the 78th minute. Nicolás Castro played a superb through ball for Alexis Vega, who completed his brace to make it 2-3. The joy, however, was not definitive. In stoppage time, which lasted nine minutes, Andrés Montaño crossed from the left and Gabriel Fernández, again with his head, scored the equalising goal in the 95th minute, sealing the final 3-3 scoreline.
Reaction and context
Manager Joel Huiqui praised his team's character. "The squad gave a clear advantage against the Scarlets who disappeared during the first half and were reborn like the Phoenix in the second," the coach explained. This valuable point consolidates Toluca's position at the top of the standings, with 20 points from ten games, two clear of chasing Guadalajara. The team has scored 23 goals and conceded only 12.
With this draw, the Diablos Rojos maintain a run of just one defeat in their last five matches, with three wins and a draw. They now look ahead to the international break, after which they will resume action on October 10th with an away trip to face Tigres UANL, a side currently sitting 15th. Forward Federico Viñas, with four goals, remains the team's top scorer this campaign, according to our stats data.
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The 3-3 draw on September 26th 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 match officials at halftime to complain. The sky-blue side's perception is that this may have influenced the second half, though the club has not filed a formal complaint. The Liga MX leader, with 20 points, now looks ahead to its next fixture.
Toluca's manager, Antonio Mohamed, received a yellow card for dissent at halftime of the match against Cruz Azul, according to the official match data. The referee cautioned the coach in the 45+2nd minute. The Liga MX leader, with 20 points, maintains its two-point advantage over Guadalajara.
Toluca's manager, Antonio Mohamed, harshly criticized referee Katia Itzel García after the 3-3 draw. "For me, García is not up to the level of these types of matches," the coach said. Mohamed stated that with a normal referee, his team would have won the game. The Liga MX leader, with 20 points, maintains its advantage in the standings.
