Monterrey land first blow, but Toluca just one goal from Liga MX Apertura 2025 final
German Berterame’s first-half goal and Luis Cárdenas’ key saves give Monterrey a slim advantage heading into the second leg.
Rayados de Monterrey once again made home-field advantage count, grinding out a 1-0 win over Toluca in the first leg of the Liga MX Apertura 2025 semifinal. The result puts Monterrey in control heading into the decisive match.
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Monterrey revenge for heavy defeat
The Albiazules hosted the Diablos Rojos at Estadio BBVA and seized the chance to erase the embarrassment of their regular-season meeting, a stunning 6-2 loss. In a tense, hard-fought game, Germán Berterame made the breakthrough and goalkeeper Luis Cárdenas shut the door with several key stops.
Toluca, the defending Liga MX champions, pushed early in search of chances, but Monterrey’s back line held steady. The visitors’ closest look in the first half came in the 15th minute when Nicolás Castro shot wide from distance.
Berterame makes crucial breakthrough for Rayados
Monterrey grew into the game and nearly struck on a Gerardo Arteaga volley in the 26th minute, but Toluca goalkeeper Hugo González reacted well. González, a former Rayados player, was booed every time he touched the ball.
The deadlock finally broke in the 39th minute. A cross from the right side found Berterame sneaking in behind the center backs, and he powered a low, angled finish past González. The striker now has two goals in the Liguilla, including the dramatic stoppage-time winner that sent Rayados past Club America in the previous round.
Toluca pushes, Cárdenas responds
Toluca dictated most of the second half, but clear chances were scarce. In the 56th minute, Federico Pereira’s shot took a deflection and still forced Cárdenas to tip it out for a corner.
The pressure intensified in the closing stages. In the 81st minute, Paulinho fired from inside the box, and the ball ricocheted off the post and then off Cárdenas before the goalkeeper smothered it. One minute later, Castro uncorked a long-range effort that Cárdenas pushed away with a leaping one-handed save.
Toluca came inches from tying it again in the 87th minute. Marcel Ruiz broke into the box and drilled a shot off the post, collected the rebound and tried to square it, but Cárdenas stuck out a foot to redirect it. Ricardo Chavez eventually sent the loose ball out for a corner.
Injury concern for Monterrey
Rayados suffered a setback when Jesús Manuel “Tecatito” Corona exited in the 53rd minute with an injury. Roberto de la Rosa replaced him. Corona’s status for the second leg is now in doubt.
When is the Toluca vs Rayados second leg?
Monterrey will travel to Estadio Nemesio Dìez needing a win or a draw to reach the final. Toluca will advance with any victory. Because of their higher regular-season finish, the Diablos Rojos move on if the aggregate score ends level.
The second leg is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. ET, when the first finalist of the Apertura 2025 will be decided.
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