History repeats itself in Liga MX
This weekend’s Apertura 2025 semifinals served up outcomes that felt very familiar to soccer fans in Mexico.
Liga MX has proved once again that soccer moves in cycles. The semifinals played on Saturday, December 6, left fans with a strong sense of déjà vu. In many ways, we’ve seen this story before: the same protagonists, the same script, even the same scorelines.
Toluca isn’t better than Monterrey
At the Nemesio Diez, Toluca booked its ticket to the final after a 3-3 aggregate draw with Monterrey. The formula is familiar by now: the Diablos, regular-season leaders, advanced thanks to their higher position in the table. What stands out is how closely this mirrors the previous tournament.
Back in the Clausura 2025, Toluca also knocked out Rayados on aggregate (4-4), again closing the series at home thanks to finishing first overall. The only difference? That elimination came in the quarterfinals. The outcome, however, was identical: Monterrey goes home without losing, and Toluca moves on without winning. As Paulinho put it: “We need to organize the playoffs better.”
Tigres: Larcamón’s kryptonite
In the other bracket, Tigres showed their playoff pedigree, drawing 2-2 on aggregate with Cruz Azul. Once again, the standings tipped the scales: the Felinos finished second in the regular season, ahead of La Máquina in third, and that was enough to punch their ticket to the final.
But here’s the twist that feels all too familiar. Nicolás Larcamón, now Cruz Azul’s head coach, was eliminated by Tigres in the semifinals just six months ago - then at the helm of Necaxa, and by the same 2-2 aggregate score. New team, new roster, new crest… same ending.
A final built on repetition
Toluca and Tigres now meet in a final that feels pieced together from last season’s fragments. Both clubs advanced without winning their series, both benefited from their table position. The difference? This time, they face each other for the crown.
History repeats itself, yes. But the title won’t be decided by tiebreakers: only one will lift the trophy, and they’ll have to earn it on the pitch.
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