Alexis Vega, who had been suffering from injury for more than six weeks, took part in the final from the bench and successfully scored the final penalty that secured Toluca the title. After the victory against Tigres UANL in the Apertura of Mexican Football, the footballer explained to the media that his current goal is to recover physically and maintain his level in order to aim for a World Cup call-up. According to EFE, Vega stated: “My thoughts are with the World Cup. I know how important it is to represent my country and I will try to recover to be considered and do my best.”
The final was decided after a 1-1 draw which forced a penalty shootout. Paulinho, Portuguese striker and the “Devils’ main offensive reference”, scored the goal with a left-footed shot in the 52nd minute that leveled the series. The game was decided in a series of penalty shootouts that lasted until the eleventh round, with both teams tied 8–8. The difference came when Ángel Correa, Argentine player and World Cup winner, missed his shot against Tigres. Vega, who had already converted his penalty in the first half, scored again and cemented Toluca’s victory.
Paulinho, who has an outstanding run as top scorer in the last three league tournaments in Mexico, also explained to the Mexican press his intention to join his country’s team at the next World Cup. His words were clear: “I will do everything to take part in the World Cup with my country,” EFE quoted after the game.
According to EFE, the result crowned Toluca the team with the most offensive power in the Apertura tournament and was a key to reaching the championship. With this victory, the club achieved its twelfth star in Liga MX, drawing level with Guadalajara in terms of titles and positioning itself in second place in history, behind only América, which has four more titles.
Antonio Mohamed, Argentine coach of the “Red Devils”, added a new title to his record as technical director and won his fifth championship. Only Ignacio Trelles and Brazilian Ricardo Ferretti surpass that number, both with seven titles each, according to EFE.
The development of the game showed both teams’ ability to maintain a competitive pace, although it was the individual successes of Paulinho and Vega that made the difference in a long, high-pressure finish. The result allowed Toluca to equal a historic record and confirm its prominent position among the most successful teams in Mexican football, EFE reported.
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