The first leg will take place on Thursday at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes. The second leg is scheduled for Sunday at Estadio Nemesio Diez
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América are aiming for a historic four-peatToluca want to end a 15-year title drought and finished in first and second place, respectivelyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
The Clausura 2025 Grand Final is officially set, with Club América and Toluca set to battle for the Liga MX title. The league has confirmed the schedule for both legs of the final, where Toluca will aim to end a 15-year championship drought while América eyes a historic fourth consecutive crown.
The first leg will take place Thursday at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, with kickoff set for 8:00 p.m. CT (10:00 p.m. ET). The return leg is scheduled for Sunday at Estadio Nemesio Diez in Toluca, kicking off at 7:00 p.m. CT (9:00 p.m. ET).
AdvertisementGetty Images SportHOW AMERICA AND TOLUCA GOT TO FINAL
América, led by head coach André Jardine — who missed the semifinals due to suspension — once again knocked out Cruz Azul. The tie ended 2-2 on aggregate, but Las Águilas advanced by virtue of their higher finish in the regular season, a scenario Jardine’s assistant Paulo Victor said they had planned for.
After a 1–0 loss in the first leg at Estadio Olímpico Universitario, América found themselves in deeper trouble when Lorenzo Faravelli put Cruz Azul ahead in the 57th minute of the second leg. That goal stunned the crowd of over 36,000 at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes.
Despite controlling much of the match, América still needed two goals to advance. The comeback began in the 63rd minute when goalkeeper Kevin Mier brought down Rodrigo Aguirre in the box. Henry Martín converted the resulting penalty to level the aggregate and reignite América’s hopes.
Cristian Borja then delivered the decisive moment in the 79th minute, rising to head home the go-ahead goal. From there, América remained in control as Cruz Azul failed to mount a serious threat. The victory marked América’s third straight postseason triumph over Cruz Azul and ended La Máquina’s 19-match unbeaten run under Vicente Sánchez.
Toluca booked their spot in the championship match with a commanding 3-0 win in the second leg against Tigres, thanks to a brace from Alexis Vega – one of the tournament’s standout performers – and a goal from Edgar López, sealing a 4-1 aggregate victory in the semifinals.will be aiming for their 11th Liga MX title, while América, the most successful club in Mexican football, will be chasing their 17th championship.
Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Following the dramatic comeback, Paulo Victor addressed the media in place of Jardine:
“I don’t agree that América was ever out of it. These games are tactical. Zendejas returned, and we stuck to our game plan—playing smart, using the rules to our advantage. Everything went as planned, both defensively and offensively. The players executed exactly what was asked of them.”
He added that the staff had prepared for a tough series against Cruz Azul but felt confident in their strategy to reach the final.
“We break these playoff matches into four 45-minute segments. We came into the second half strong and knew what was needed. The changes had already been discussed. Nothing was improvised.”
América remains hopeful that Uruguayan forward Brian Rodríguez, who has been sidelined with a muscle injury since the regular season, will be available for the final. “Brian is progressing well and should be fit for both legs of the final,” said Victor.
Meanwhile, Cruz Azul must regroup after falling just short of the final. Head coach Vicente Sánchez, although disappointed, is already shifting focus to the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup final.
“I’m heartbroken and disappointed. From the beginning, our goal was to fight for both tournaments. Reaching the semifinals here and the final in Concacaf is an achievement, but we wanted more. Now, we need to turn the page quickly and prepare for what’s next.”
Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?
América and Toluca last met in Matchday 10 of the Clausura 2025, a game that ended in a dominant 3-0 win for Las Águilas. Despite that setback, Antonio Mohamed’s Toluca side enters the final in excellent form.
Since that March 1 defeat to André Jardine’s América, have gone on a remarkable run – unbeaten in 10 of their last 11 matches. Their only loss during that stretch came in the first leg of the quarterfinals, a narrow 3-2 defeat to Monterrey.
