Mandy
Toluca adopted a conservative approach early on, sitting deep while Rayados attempted to break through their defensive structure.
Monterrey earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over Toluca in the first leg of the Apertura 2025 semifinals, held at Estadio BBVA.
With this narrow advantage, the series will be decided next Saturday at the Nemesio Díez Stadium.
Despite dominating possession, Monterrey struggled to find clear spaces until a key moment late in the first half.
Decisive Goal In The First Half
In the 38th minute, Jesús “Tecatito” Corona delivered a precise cross from the right side, finding Germán Berterame, who rose inside the box to score the match’s only goal with a pinpoint header.
Both teams created additional chances before the final whistle, but the scoreboard held at 1-0, giving Rayados a valuable advantage.
Match Highlights And Key Notes
Rayados Maintain Their Home Fortress
The victory allowed Rayados to remain unbeaten at home, extending their flawless record at Estadio BBVA throughout the regular season and the Liguilla.
Consistent Performance Throughout The Tournament
In the regular phase, Monterrey secured five wins and three draws. They then surpassed Club América 2-0 in the quarterfinals before claiming the semifinal first-leg win against Toluca.
Toluca’s Second Away Defeat
This match marked only Toluca’s second defeat on the road during the Apertura 2025. Their previous away loss occurred in Round 6 against Cruz Azul, also by a 1-0 scoreline.
Under Antonio Mohamed, Toluca finished the first stage with only two losses, one at home and one away.
Tribute To Héctor Moreno
Before kickoff, Rayados honored Héctor Moreno, who recently announced his retirement from professional football.
A special tribute video featuring messages from well-known figures—including Rafael Márquez, Xavi Hernández, Guillermo Ochoa, Carlos Vela, Jonathan Dos Santos, Ricardo Osorio, Jesús Ramírez, and Sergio Canales—was played to celebrate his career.
Luis Cárdenas Becomes The Hero Of The Night
Rayados goalkeeper Luis “Mochis” Cárdenas delivered an exceptional performance, especially in the closing stages, making decisive saves that kept Toluca from equalizing.
His efforts earned loud chants of “Mochis, Mochis” from the home crowd.
Praise From Domenec Torrent
Head coach Domenec Torrent praised Cárdenas’ calmness and ball-distribution skills, noting that his experience in knockout matches was key to selecting him as the starter.
Torrent highlighted:
- Cárdenas offers better build-up stability
- He has experience in high-pressure matches
- His shot-stopping remains his top priority
Mohamed Acknowledges His Former Player
Toluca manager Antonio Mohamed also recognized Cárdenas’ outstanding night, expressing admiration for the goalkeeper while emphasizing that the tie remains open with 90 minutes left to play.
Turning Point Of The Match
Berterame’s goal shifted the pace and tone of the game. While Toluca attempted to respond, Monterrey controlled possession and prevented further threats, ensuring their advantage remained intact.
Starting Lineups
Rayados (MTY)
Luis Cárdenas, Ricardo Chávez, Stefan Medina, Sergio Ramos, Gerardo Arteaga, Fidel Ambriz, Oliver Torres, Sergio Canales, Jesús Corona, Íker Fimbres, Germán Berterame.
Toluca (TOL)
Hugo González, Diego Barbosa, Antonio Briseño, Andrés Pereira, Jesús Gallardo, Everardo López, Franco Romero, Nicolás Castro, Marcel Ruiz, Helinho, Paulinho.
What Comes Next?
Rayados’ Path Forward
Monterrey will now prepare for the second leg at Nemesio Díez, where they aim to protect or extend their lead to secure a spot in the Apertura 2025 final.
Toluca’s Mission In The Return Leg
Toluca will look to capitalize on their strong home presence and overturn the deficit to continue their pursuit of back-to-back Liga MX titles.
The first leg of the Apertura 2025 semifinals showcased a disciplined defensive effort from Rayados, a decisive goal from Germán Berterame, and a standout performance by Luis Cárdenas.
With only one goal separating the two teams, the upcoming clash at Nemesio Díez promises to deliver high tension and a thrilling fight for a place in the final.
FAQs
Who scored the winning goal for Rayados?
Germán Berterame scored the only goal of the match with a header in the 38th minute.
Where will the second leg of the semifinal be played?
The return match will be held at the Nemesio Díez Stadium, home of Toluca.
Why was Héctor Moreno honored before the game?
Rayados paid tribute to Héctor Moreno after he announced his retirement from football, celebrating his successful career.