Toluca defeated this Sunday 9-8 in the penalty shootout UANL Tigerswith a decisive failure by the Argentine world champion Angel Correato retain the title in the Apertura 2025 Mexican soccer tournament.
In their Toluca stadium they won 2-1 with scores from the Brazilian Helinho and the Portuguese Paulinho to tie the final and win the definition from 11 meters, in which Alexis Vega converted twice and gave his team its twelfth star. Uruguayan Fernando Gorriarán scored for Tigres in regulation time.
After losing the first leg 1-0 last Thursday, Toluca came out to impose conditions in its stadium, 2,240 meters above sea level.
Tigres, the team with the best defense in the tournament, held on and in the 14th minute took the lead with a left-footed goal from Gorriarán, who intercepted a free kick from Frenchman André Pierre Gignac and put the ball in the net.
Toluca was patient, went on the attack with the consent of the royals and in the 41st minute they tied with an elegant left-footed goal from Helinho from outside the area.
Toluca came out with everything in the second half against a timid Tigres that let its rival grow and it cost them because in the 52nd minute Paulinho accepted a service from Helinho and with his left foot made it 2-1 that tied the series.
With the fans in their favor, Mohamed’s team continued forward in search of the championship goal; Tigres coach, Argentine Guido Pizarro, sent Argentine Nicolás Ibáñez for Gignac in the 57th minute in search of awakening the offensive.
Toluca missed a good opportunity on a corner kick in which Everardo López finished wide in the 80th minute, after which Mohamed sent Vega, one of his offensive spark plugs, back to the field after more than a month and a half injured.
Toluca lost two of its best attackers due to injury: Helinho, in the 73rd minute; and Paulinho, in 93.
Tired, the players of both clubs created little in the rival areas and, after 120 minutes of fighting, decided the title in the penalty shootout.
Tigres started down due to a failure by Argentine Nicolás Ibáñez in the first shot, but Uruguayan Federico Pereira flew the ball in Toluca’s third series and they were tied 4-4 after five shots for each team.
With the score 5-5, Mohamed put a rosary in his mouth; However, the hug continued. In the tenth round, the Brazilian Joaquim crashed the ball into the post; Toluca had the title in the boots of Juan Pablo Domínguez, who finished over the goal.
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The time has come for the goalkeepers; Luis García saved the penalty from Nahuel Guzmán, who responded with a good save to keep the score at 8-8.
Then came the unexpected: Correa, the best player in the league, missed his shot, which was saved by goalkeeper García; and seconds later Alexis Vega gave the title to his team.
By winning its twelfth championship, Toluca tied with Guadalajara as the second team with the most league titles, four less than América.
