By Emor Villa
Toluca took a big step toward the Leagues Cup Knockout Stage with another thrilling comeback, defeating MLS side CF Montréal 2-1 at Stade Saputo. With the win, Antonio Mohamed’s squad climbed to five points, pushing hard in the Liga MX standings and now just one step away from advancing.
Portuguese forward Paulinho stole the show once again. The red-hot European striker has now scored in four consecutive matches and sits among the top scorers in Leagues Cup 2025.
But his strike tonight will be hard to forget. Paulinho found the net with a stunning overhead kick that brought fans to their feet. Without a doubt, it will be a contender for Goal of the Tournament.
Toluca responded quickly after falling behind early. Efraín Morales opened the scoring for Montréal with a header in the 20th minute, but the Mexican Red Devils mounted a fierce response just three minutes later.
Hélio Castro pounced on a defensive error from Montréal and assisted Jesús Ángulo, who calmly slotted home the equalizer. Then, just three minutes later, Paulinho reappeared in the box and delivered his spectacular bicycle kick — a world-class finish by any standard.
Now, Toluca will look to officially clinch a Knockout Stage spot in their final Phase One match. Currently sitting second in the Liga MX group standings, they’ll face New York City FC next Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.
Montréal, meanwhile, remains outside the top four in the MLS table with two points. The Impact will host Puebla FC next Tuesday at Stade Saputo in a must-win match.
REACTIONS
- Toluca Head Coach Antonio Mohamed
- “It’s the goal of the tournament, the way he did it, to win the game. Paulinho it’s a great player with a lot of confidence”
- Toluca Forward Paulinho
- “The goal was important because we won, it was one of one-thousand, I think we are going to have to wait before you see me doing another goal like that one”
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
- Toluca:
- Paulinho scored a marvelous overhead bicycle kick goal to give his team the lead. The portuguese forward has now scored in four games in a row.
GAME NOTES
- Jesús “Canelo” Angulo scored his fifth strike in Leagues Cup history. The Mexican midfielder has scored now in all three last editions, 3 in 2024 and one more in 2023.
- Toluca kept the unbeaten record in Leagues Cup Phase One history. Los Diablos Rojos are looking for a third straight participation in this tournament Knockout Stage.
- Montreal only has five wins across all competitions since the start of the MLS season. The MLS side is in the bottom of the West Conference standings and now are in a very precarious spot in Leagues Cup 2025.
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow Cards
- Montréal: Waterman, Graham-Roache.
- Red Cards
- Montréal: Fernando Álvarez
LOOKING AHEAD
- Toluca's next match will be against New York City FC on August 5th
- Montréal's next match will be against Club Puebla on August 5th
