A Back-and-Forth Thriller
Toluca FC made history on Tuesday night at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, rallying late to defeat LA Galaxy 3–2 and lift their first-ever Campeones Cup trophy. The dramatic comeback not only delivered glory to the Mexican champions but also gave LIGA MX the edge in the all-time series against Major League Soccer, moving ahead 4–3 in titles.
The Galaxy drew first blood in the 36th minute when Diego Fagúndez coolly converted from the penalty spot, sending the home crowd into celebration.
But Toluca clawed their way back into the contest after halftime. In the 53rd minute, Nicolás Castro unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box to make it 1–1.
Just four minutes later, Franco Romero equalized with a decisive finish to silence the home crowd.
With the game seemingly headed toward extra time, Federico Pereira became the hero for Toluca. In the 93rd minute, he fired home the winner, sealing a remarkable 3–2 victory and sparking wild celebrations among the Mexican side.
Toluca’s Golden Year
This triumph capped off what has been an unforgettable season for Toluca. The “Diablos Rojos” lifted the Torneo Clausura 2025 earlier this year, then followed it with victory in the Campeón de Campeones against Club América — the win that secured their ticket to the Campeones Cup. Now, by conquering LA Galaxy in Carson, Toluca closes out 2025 with a remarkable third trophy in a single calendar year.
A Landmark Triumph for LIGA MX
For Toluca, it is their first Campeones Cup championship. For LIGA MX, the victory gave the league its fourth triumph in seven editions, reestablishing regional bragging rights in the ongoing rivalry with MLS.
Campeones Cup Winners by Edition
- 2018 – Tigres UANL
- 2019 – Atlanta United
- 2021 – Columbus Crew
- 2022 – New York City FC
- 2023 – Tigres UANL
- 2024 – Club América
- 2025 – Toluca FC
With Toluca now added to the list of winners, the 2025 Campeones Cup will be remembered as one of the most thrilling finals to date—a true “Game Seven” classic that tilted the balance back toward Mexico.
