On May 25, 2025, Toluca shattered a decades-long dream, defeating Club América 2-0 at the Estadio Nemesio Diez to claim the Clausura 2025 Liga MX final and end América’s unprecedented three-season reign. The victory wasn’t just a title—it was a seismic shift in Mexican football. América, the most decorated club in Liga MX history with 16 championships, had spent nearly two years as the undisputed kings of the league. Now, they’re left to reflect on what might have been.
The Dynasty That Changed Liga MX
Club América didn’t just win titles—they rewrote the playbook. Under head coach André Jardine, they captured the Apertura 2023 title in December 2023, then followed it with the Clausura 2024 crown in May 2024, and finally sealed their three-peat with a 3-2 win over Monterrey in the Apertura 2024 final on December 29, 2024. That made them the first Mexican club since Chivas in the 1950s and 60s to win three straight league titles. Their dominance wasn’t flashy—it was relentless. They won 68% of their playoff matches over those three seasons. Their average xG per game in the 2024 playoffs? 1.42. The league hadn’t seen consistency like this since the golden era of Chivas.The Fall: Toluca’s Moment
The first leg of the Clausura 2025 final ended 0-0 on May 18, 2025. América, typically so clinical, managed just two shots on target. It was a sign. The second leg, played under a sweltering Mexican afternoon in Toluca, was a masterclass in pressure and poise. In the 65th minute, Luan Garcia rose like a thundercloud to head home a violent cross from Alexis Vega. The stadium exploded. Then, in the 82nd minute, after Sebastian Cáceres brought down Robert Morales in the box, Vega stepped up. No hesitation. No drama. Just a calm, ice-water penalty into the bottom right corner. 2-0. The final whistle blew, and Toluca’s players collapsed to the turf, tears streaming. It was their 11th Liga MX title—and their first since 2010. A 15-year drought ended in one night.
The Architect: Turco Mohamed’s Masterpiece
Behind Toluca’s triumph stood Antonio "Turco" Mohamed, the 55-year-old Argentine tactician who now joins an elite club: the third manager in Liga MX history to win four titles with four different clubs. He won with Tijuana in 2012, Club América in 2018, Monterrey in 2021, and now Toluca in 2025. He didn’t just outcoach Jardine—he outmaneuvered him. Where América relied on possession, Toluca pressed. Where América waited for chances, Toluca created them. "We knew they’d be tired," Mohamed said after the match. "They’ve been carrying the league on their backs for three years. We just had to be sharper when it mattered."The Aftermath: Campeón de Campeones and the Road Ahead
Toluca didn’t stop there. On July 20, 2025, they met América again—this time in Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California—for the 2025 Campeón de Campeones. América, still reeling from the final loss, struck first through Alejandro Zendejas in the 12th minute. But Toluca’s discipline broke them. Franco Romero equalized before halftime, and goals from Diego Lainez and Jonathan Rodríguez sealed a 3-1 win. Toluca claimed their fifth Super Cup title—their first since 2006—and earned a spot in the 2025 Campeones Cup against LA Galaxy.For América, the fall was brutal. Their three-peat was historic. But their season didn’t end with the final. They lost a crucial playoff against LAFC on May 31, 2025, for the final spot in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. No Champions League. No global stage. Just the quiet ache of what could have been.
What This Means for Liga MX
América’s three-year reign was the most dominant in modern Mexican football. But Toluca’s win proves something deeper: no dynasty lasts forever. The league is more competitive than ever. Young stars like Vega and Lainez are rising. Coaches like Mohamed are mastering the art of timing. América still leads in titles—16 to Toluca’s 11 and Chivas’ 12—but the balance of power has shifted. The next season, the Apertura 2025, will be a battle not just for the trophy—but for the soul of Mexican soccer.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Toluca manage to defeat América after losing the first leg 0-0?
Toluca’s victory came from disciplined pressing, superior set-piece execution, and capitalizing on América’s fatigue. After three straight finals and a grueling Apertura 2024 campaign, América’s squad showed signs of physical and mental exhaustion. Toluca’s coach, Antonio Mohamed, exploited this by deploying a high-pressing 4-2-3-1 system that disrupted América’s midfield buildup. The two goals—Luan Garcia’s header and Alexis Vega’s penalty—were perfectly timed, coming when América’s defense was stretched thin.
Why is Antonio Mohamed considered one of the most successful managers in Liga MX history?
Mohamed is the third manager ever to win four Liga MX titles with four different clubs: Tijuana (2012), América (2018), Monterrey (2021), and Toluca (2025). No other coach has won titles with such diverse teams across different philosophies and regions. His ability to adapt tactics—from the aggressive counterattack at Monterrey to Toluca’s high-pressing system—demonstrates rare versatility. Only Víctor Manuel Vucetich has won more titles overall (seven), but Mohamed’s range across clubs is unmatched.
What does Toluca’s 2025 title mean for their legacy in Mexican football?
Toluca’s 11th title moves them past Club León (10) into sole possession of third place on the all-time Liga MX list, behind América (16) and Chivas (12). More importantly, ending a 15-year title drought reestablishes them as a powerhouse, not just a historic club. Their Campeón de Campeones win and upcoming Campeones Cup appearance signal a new era of sustained competitiveness, potentially challenging América’s dominance in the coming seasons.
How did América’s three-peat compare to past dynasties in Mexican soccer?
América’s three-peat from 2023 to 2024 matched Chivas’ feat from 1958 to 1962, but it was far more statistically dominant. América won 68% of their playoff matches over three seasons, compared to Chivas’ 57%. They also scored 41 goals in 12 playoff games—nearly 3.5 per game. No other team in the modern era (post-1996) came close to that level of consistency. Their run is now regarded as the greatest dynasty in Liga MX history, even if it ended just short of four titles.
Will América bounce back in Apertura 2025?
América still has the resources, fanbase, and talent to compete. But they’ll face a much tougher Toluca side that’s now confident and battle-tested. With no international competition to fall back on after missing the Club World Cup, América’s focus will be entirely domestic. Key players like Brian Rodríguez and Alejandro Zendejas are young and hungry, but Jardine must rebuild defensive depth after key injuries and fatigue. Expect them to be favorites—but not invincible.
What’s next for Toluca after winning the Campeón de Campeones?
Toluca will face LA Galaxy in the 2025 Campeones Cup, a one-off match scheduled for late August. It’s their first appearance in the competition since 2007. Winning would give them a direct path to the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup and global exposure. For a club that hasn’t won a title in 15 years, this is more than a trophy—it’s a statement to the continent.