Rayados defeated Pumas to claim the final Liguilla spot and will now face Toluca in the quarterfinals.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
In Liga MX, it’s long been said that the regular season and the Liguilla feel like two entirely different tournaments. For 17 matches, consistency matters, but once you make it into the Liguilla, all bets are off. We've seen top seeds fall to the lowest-ranked qualifiers time and time again. That’s how the phrase “The Curse of the Superlíder” came to be. Some teams even try to avoid finishing first just to dodge the supposed jinx.
Others aren’t so superstitious. They aim to dominate from start to finish, hoping to turn regular-season form into postseason success.
A couple of years ago, Liga MX introduced the Play-In to shake things up – borrowing from the NBA format – to give more teams a shot at the playoffs. Where the top eight teams once went straight into the Liguilla, now those ranked seventh to 10th face off in the Play-In. It’s a term still unfamiliar to many fans in Mexico.
But the execution raises eyebrows. Two full weeks of rest for the top seeds while four lower-ranked teams scrap it out? That’s a long pause in a league where momentum can mean everything. In the NBA, teams barely get two days between games. In Liga MX, fans wait 14 just to sort out the final playoff field.
The Wait Is Over: Pachuca and Rayados Clinch Final Liguilla Spots
Pachuca and Monterrey won their respective Play-In matches and are the final two teams to punch their tickets to the Liguilla, which kicks off May 7 and 8 with the quarterfinals.
It’s the end of the road for FC Juárez and Pumas—thanks for playing, but the Liguilla is for title contenders, and these teams never truly looked like more than filler. In the end, there were no surprises: the stronger sides advanced.
GOAL breaks down how the quarterfinal matchups will play out and who the favorites are to move on.
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportNo. 1 Toluca vs No. 8 Monterrey
finished as the top seed in the Clausura 2025 after an exceptional end to the regular season, going unbeaten in their final seven matches.
Under the guidance of Antonio Mohamed, Toluca will face Monterrey, with the first leg set to be played at the “Gigante de Acero,” while the return leg will take place at the Nemesio Diez.
Toluca – Key to Success:
Mohamed’s squad traveled to Playa del Carmen in southern Mexico to prepare for the Liguilla with their sights set on winning an 11th league title. Their preparation itself may be the key—Toluca will head into the first leg of the quarterfinals against Monterrey having gone 18 days without an official match. The team is hopeful that the long break won’t disrupt the momentum they built by winning six of their last seven matches to close out the Clausura 2025.
Players to Watch:
For Toluca, it’s hard to highlight just one name – Paulinho and Alexis Vega deserve equal billing. The attacking duo combined for 21 goals during the regular season, with the Brazilian Paulinho claiming the Golden Boot after scoring 12 times.
Monterrey – Key to Success:
It’s a clean slate for Martín Demichelis and his side. After defeating Pumas in the Play-In, Monterrey grabbed the final Liguilla ticket and silenced recent criticism. The return of Sergio Canales and Óliver Torres will be crucial in this series, and the team is also hoping to get Sergio Ramos back from injury after he missed both Play-In matches.
Player to Watch: Germán Berterame
Berterame hasn’t had his strongest season with Rayados, but after being booed by fans during the Pumas match, he responded with a goal that could reignite his confidence just in time for the Liguilla. He’ll be central to Demichelis’ plans as Monterrey look to make a deep playoff run.
GOAL's Prediction:
Toluca is the better team overall. In fact, they were the best in the tournament, boasting the strongest offensive line. One area where Monterrey has struggled, however, is defense. While it's a bold call, we predict that will advance to the semifinals, making them our top candidate to win the title. didn’t stop playing, but did. We’ll see if the inactivity affects them.
AdvertisementAFPNo. 2 América vs. No. 7 Pachuca
, reigning three-time champions, are resting and recovering injured players as they wait to find out their quarterfinal opponent, which will come from the winner of the Monterrey vs. Pachuca Play-In clash.
Jardine’s side is hoping to have Henry Martín, Diego Valdés, Luis Ángel Malagón, and Brian Rodríguez back in time to make a strong push for another title, after finishing second in the Clausura 2025 with 34 points.
América – Key to Success:
Rest and player recovery. Las Águilas have benefited the most from the break, bringing back key players like Henry Martín and Luis Ángel Malagón. However, the status of Diego Valdés remains uncertain, and they are likely to miss Brian Rodríguez and Jonathan Dos Santos for the remainder of the Liguilla.
Player to Watch: Álvaro Fidalgo. The Spanish midfielder was one of the standout performers of the Clausura 2025, recording seven goals and three assists.
Pachuca – Key to Success:
Home advantage in the first leg. are one of the toughest teams to beat at home, with only one loss in nine games at the Estadio Hidalgo during the Clausura 2025. Securing a strong result in the first leg could prove to be a decisive blow for América in this series.
Player to Watch: Salomón Rondón
The Venezuelan forward has netted 10 goals this season, including the crucial one in the Play-In match against Monterrey that secured Pachuca’s spot in the Liguilla. Rondón will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in this knockout round.
GOAL's Prediction:
This is a tough one to call, and personally, it will be the most balanced matchup. However, América carry the hope of a potential four-peat. América will edge through and make it to the semifinals.
Getty Images SportNo. 3 Cruz Azul vs. No. 6 Club León
Cruz Azul and León are set to face off in the Clausura 2025 quarterfinals, scheduled for May 7 and 8.
enters the matchup riding an impressive 15-game unbeaten streak, though their legs might be a bit heavy as they’ll also be playing a crucial Champions Cup semifinal against Tigres before facing León. That additional fixture could impact their freshness for the two-leg tie.
On the other hand, Eduardo Berizzo’s León suffered a late-season slump, managing just one win in their last seven league matches. After a strong start to the tournament, La Fiera dropped to sixth place following a dip in form that began with their early elimination from the Club World Cup, which appeared to have an emotional toll on the squad.
Can León recharge and upset a red-hot Cruz Azul team that may be showing signs of fatigue?
Cruz Azul – Keys to Success:
Cruz Azul boasts one of the best defenses among playoff teams, allowing just 16 goals during the regular season. They face a León side that struggled offensively, scoring only 24 goals, the second fewest among Liguilla teams. Keeping a clean sheet will be crucial for Vicente Sánchez’s men.
Player to Watch: Ignacio Rivero
The Uruguayan midfielder has been a consistent and influential figure, scoring five goals and providing one assist. He continues to be a key piece for Cruz Azul and will be essential in this Quarterfinal series.
León – Keys to Success:
The two-week break could work in León’s favor after their disappointing run to close the regular season. The rest might help the team reset mentally and physically. However, they’ll face one of the toughest opponents left in the tournament – a Cruz Azul side that’s clicking on both ends of the pitch.
Player to Watch: James Rodríguez
The Colombian star has had a dip in form in recent weeks, but if anyone has the talent to turn a tie around, it’s him. Unfortunately, he’ll miss the first leg due to suspension, which could significantly impact León’s chances.
GOAL's Prediction:
Cruz Azul will advance to the semifinals. Vicente Sánchez’s squad has been one of the most balanced and effective teams this season, both in defense and attack.are a serious title contender, and it would be a surprise if León managed to derail their championship hopes.
AFPNo. 4 Tigres vs. No. 5 Necaxa
Tigres vs. Necaxa – experience vs. momentum in a tight quarterfinal matchup
This promises to be one of the closest matchups of the Clausura 2025 quarterfinals, as both teams come in after strong regular seasons. While it’s no surprise to see Tigres in this stage, the presence of Necaxa, led by Nicolás Larcamón, is a notable storyline. had an excellent campaign, finishing with 31 points and boasting the second-best attack in the league with 36 goals scored.
Tigres, under Guido Pizarro, have regained some of their trademark rhythm, though it's clear this is no longer the dominant side of years past. Still, their talent—both domestic and international—makes them a dangerous playoff team.
Tigres – Keys to Success:
Tigres’ offensive collective play from midfield forward will be their greatest asset. Despite their deep roster, a few players have underperformed—Uriel Antuna among them. The winger will be looking to prove himself in this series, not just to his coach Guido Pizarro and Javier Aguirre, but also to earn back consideration for the national team and a larger role in the Liguilla.
Player to Watch: Juan Brunetta
The Argentine midfielder has been at the heart of Tigres’ attack, contributing to nine goals (six goals, three assists). Much of the team’s creative spark and title hopes run through him.
Necaxa – Keys to Success:
Necaxa’s main objective will be to keep their scoring form while shoring up their defense. They head into the playoffs as the worst defensive side among the qualifiers, having conceded 29 goals. They'll need to find a way to contain Tigres’ potent frontline while continuing to capitalize on chances up top.
Player to Watch: José Paradela
The attacking midfielder was outstanding throughout the regular season, helping Aguascalientes’ side secure a top-five finish. He tallied eight goals and seven assists, becoming a central figure in Larcamón’s setup.
GOAL's Prediction:
Experience will prevail – and Tigres have it. With veterans and proven playoff performers, Tigres are expected to outlast a spirited Necaxa side in a close-fought series.