Toluca, the reigning champions of Mexican football, kicked off their Apertura 2025 Liga MX campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Necaxa at their home ground, the Estadio Nemesio Diez. The match, played on Saturday, July 12, 2025, saw the Diablos Rojos overcome an early deficit to secure three crucial points in their quest for a twelfth league title.
The highly anticipated opening fixture began at 19:00 hours Central Mexico Time, with Toluca looking to assert their dominance from the outset. However, it was Necaxa, under the guidance of coach Fernando Gago, who drew first blood. After an initial period where Toluca showed attacking intent, including a disallowed goal by Paulinho in the 6th minute due to offside and an Alexis Vega free-kick that rattled the crossbar in the 9th minute, the Rayos capitalized on a defensive miscue.
In the 21st minute, Necaxa’s Pavel Pérez found the back of the net, converting a cross from Palavecino after a Toluca error in their own half. This unexpected opener put the champions on the back foot, but their response was swift and decisive. Just six minutes later, in the 27th minute, Toluca leveled the score. Marcel Ruiz, a key figure in Toluca’s midfield, headed home an assist from Alexis Vega, bringing the home crowd to its feet and restoring parity.
As the first half progressed, Toluca continued to press for a go-ahead goal. Their efforts paid off just before the break. In the 41st minute, Jesús Angulo scored a spectacular goal, assisted by a clever backheel pass from Marcel Ruiz, putting Toluca ahead 2-1. The first half concluded with Toluca holding a narrow lead, a testament to their resilience and attacking prowess.
The match was a physical encounter, with both teams receiving yellow cards in the first half. José Ivan Rodríguez of Necaxa was booked in the 7th minute for a foul on Marcel Ruiz, who himself received a yellow card in the 45th minute for dangerous play. The game was exclusively broadcast on the streaming platform VIX Premium, making it accessible only to subscribers.
Statistical analysis from ESPN Deportes highlighted Toluca’s control of the game, with 65.3% possession compared to Necaxa’s 34.7%. Toluca also registered more shots on goal (5 to 1) and total shots (11 to 3), demonstrating their offensive pressure. Necaxa’s goalkeeper, Unsain, was kept busy, making 3 saves to Toluca’s 0, underscoring the attacking threat posed by the champions.
This victory marks a positive start for Toluca in their title defense, showcasing their ability to recover from setbacks and convert opportunities. For Necaxa, despite the loss, their early goal and competitive spirit against the champions suggest they could be a challenging opponent for other teams in the league. The two teams have a history of engaging matches, including a high-scoring 5-2 victory for Toluca in the Clausura 2025 tournament on March 8, 2025, and a 3-1 win for Toluca in Apertura 2024. Their previous Apertura 2023 encounter ended in a goalless draw, while Clausura 2024 saw a thrilling 3-3 draw.
As the Apertura 2025 season unfolds, Toluca will look to build on this winning start, while Necaxa will aim to regroup and secure their first points in upcoming fixtures. Fans can anticipate more exciting action as the Liga MX season progresses.
