A blockbuster meeting between Mexico’s two most recent champions awaits at the Estadio Banorte this weekend.
La Máquina ended a five-year wait for domestic silverware by winning the Liga MX Clausura back in June, while Toluca lifted the 2025 Apertura title, six months after defeating Club América to win the 2025 Clausura.
Now, the two teams are set to face off in a meeting which could completely reshape the top of the table heading into the international break.
Read here to find out who the favourites are to win this season’s Liga MX Apertura: Hooligan Power Rankings: Who Are the Real Title Contenders in Liga MX?
Head-to-head record
Toluca have been considered the team of the moment, becoming the first team in Mexican history to win every trophy possible after their Leagues Cup triumph earlier this month.
Despite that, it’s been three years since they last picked up a win against their weekend rivals. Across the last six meetings, Cruz Azul have come out on top three times, while the two sides have shared the points on the other three occasions.
In the most recent meeting, Cruz Azul rose to a 3-1 victory as the sides met in the Campeón de Campeones final, inspired by a brace from José Paradela.
Match details
Cruz Azul vs Toluca will take place at the Estadio Banorte on Saturday 26th September 2026, at 4:50pm local time (6:50pm ET / 3:50pm PT).
La Máquina will have home advantage with the game being played in Mexico City, but that shouldn’t be a major concern for Toluca, who will only have to travel for around an hour.
Nonetheless, this is one of the biggest matches of the season for both sides, with both teams looking to strengthen their title credentials by picking up a huge three points against a major rival.
Form this season
Only four points separate Cruz Azul and Toluca heading into matchday 10 of the Apertura, with the weekend visitors sitting in first place while Azul find themselves in fourth.
Until last weekend’s shock home defeat to Santos Laguna, Toluca had gone unbeaten in their previous nine matches across all competitions. Despite that setback, there has still been plenty to be excited about for Los Diablos Rojos, with high-scoring wins over Atlas and FC Juárez part of a run that has seen them score 20 goals across nine matches, making them the league’s best attacking side.
In the case of Cruz Azul, their recent run of form has been a little more rocky, with just three wins from their last eight matches. That includes league defeats to Tijuana, Atlas and, most recently, Monterrey. Things don’t get much better for La Máquina at home either, with just two wins from their opening four league matches at the Estadio Banorte. However, their 4-3 victory over Club América has certainly been one of the highlights of their campaign so far.
A win for Cruz Azul this weekend will give them the chance to move into third, above Club América, if results go their way.
Maximum points for Toluca would solidify their place at the top of the table going into the two-week break, with the chance of extending their lead to four points.
Team News
Cruz Azul prepare for the game with an almost full-strength squad, only missing Amaury Morales, who is set to miss the rest of the Apertura through a knee injury sustained back in July.
As for Toluca, their injury list doesn’t seem to end with Franco Romero, Marcel Ruíz, Erick Gutiérrez and Hugo González all sidelined, while Everado López will join the absentees after receiving a straight red card in last weekend’s loss to Santos Laguna.
Where can you watch Cruz Azul vs Toluca
Mexico:
- Canal 5
- TUDN
- ViX Premium
- LavyTime (on YouTube)
USA:
- TUDN USA
- Univision
- ViX Premium
