Liga MX 2025. Team of the Week: Hat-Tricks by Djurdjevic and Alexis Vega

From March 8–10, the 11th round of the 2025 Clausura Liga MX (Mexican Championship) took place.

On the first matchday, Tigres UANL and Atlético San Luis won 1-0 at home against Querétaro and Juárez, respectively. Pumas UNAM triumphed 2-1 over Puebla while playing with a man advantage.

On the second matchday, Toluca, trailing 0-2, managed to score five goals against Necaxa. Pachuca and Mazatlán, as well as Cruz Azul and Monterrey, drew 1-1. In the Chivas vs. América clash, there were no goals.

The third matchday was a day of comebacks. Santos Laguna sensationally snatched a win from León, and Atlas, down 0-3 in the 61st minute, managed to score four goals in the remaining 30 minutes to defeat Tijuana.

Here is the symbolic XI of the 11th round

• Goalkeeper: Luis Cárdenas (Monterrey)

Despite conceding a goal, Cárdenas became the hero in the match against Cruz Azul. The Monterrey goalkeeper made 7 saves, intercepted one cross, cleared the ball once, and completed 11 long passes.

• Left-back: Juan Manuel Sanabria (Atlético San Luis)

In the match against Juárez, the Uruguayan made 6 clearances and 4 tackles. 81% of his 48 passes were accurate, including 3 long balls. He won 6 of his 11 duels, both on the ground and in the air. Sanabria had one shot on goal, but most importantly, on the 48th minute, his assist to Oscar Macías led to a third win of the season. The Uruguayan has now provided an assist in his third consecutive match and leads the league with 5 assists.

• Center-back: Anderson Santamaría (Santos Laguna)

In the match against León, the Peruvian made 6 clearances and 2 tackles. Santamaría completed 4 long passes, won 4 of 6 duels on the ground and in the air, and successfully dribbled once. In added time, Anderson came up for a corner kick and scored the winning goal with a header. This was his first goal for Santos Laguna, and coincidentally, his last goal came in September 2021, also against León.

• Center-back: Israel Reyes (América)

The Mexican defender made 2 tackles and 2 clearances, as well as one interception. Reyes delivered 6 long passes, 1 through ball, and created 1 goal-scoring opportunity. He could have scored himself, but his shot hit the post.

• Right-back: Javier Aquino (UANL Tigres)

The 35-year-old veteran made 4 clearances, 1 interception, and 1 tackle. Aquino completed 91 passes (94% accuracy), including 4 crosses and 3 long passes. He won 5 of 6 duels on the ground and 1 in the air. Aquino also succeeded in 3 out of 4 dribbling attempts and forced 1 foul.

• Defensive Midfielder: Javier Güémez (Santos Laguna)

In the match against León, Güémez made 5 long passes and 5 through balls, won 5 out of 8 duels on the ground, and 1 aerial duel. He made 2 clearances, 2 tackles, and 3 interceptions. On the 75th minute, Güémez created a goal-scoring opportunity, which Ramiro Sordo converted into a goal. This is his third consecutive assist of the season.

• Left Midfielder: Alexis Vega (Toluca)

Vega was the hero in Toluca's comeback. This was his first hat-trick since February 2019. With this performance, the Toluca captain now has 7 goals and 5 assists in 11 league matches. Vega also made 2 accurate crosses, 3 long passes, and created 1 goal-scoring opportunity. Additionally, he made 1 clearance and 4 tackles.

• Right Midfielder: Ignacio Rivero (Cruz Azul)

In the match against Monterrey, Cruz Azul's captain scored his fourth goal of the season. Rivero completed 5 long passes, won 9 ground duels, and earned 1 foul. The Uruguayan made 8 clearances and 1 tackle.

• Attacking Midfielder: Paulinho (Toluca)

The Portuguese midfielder played a pivotal role in Toluca's comeback against Necaxa, after they were trailing 0-2. Just before the break, Paulinho scored a goal, and in the second half, he provided an assist to Alexis Vega, who made it 4-2.

• Striker: Uroš Djurdjević (Atlas)

In Atlas's incredible comeback, Djurdjević played a key role, scoring 3 of the 4 goals. Over the last two matches, Djurdjević has scored 5 goals, and in 11 Clausura matches, he has scored 8. Djurdjević also made 1 through ball, 1 long pass, and forced an opponent foul.

• Striker: Guillermo Martínez (Pumas UNAM)

Martínez played a crucial role in Pumas's victory over Puebla. On the 75th minute, he scored the team's second goal, and in added time, he provided an assist to Ali Ávila, who sealed the win. Martínez had only 15 touches of the ball during the match, but aside from his goal and assist, he completed 6 accurate passes, 1 through ball, and made a clearance and an interception. He won 3 of 5 aerial duels.

• Coach: Fernando Ortiz (Santos Laguna)

Under the guidance of the Argentine coach, Santos Laguna handed the tournament leaders their first defeat. The Santos players showed character, securing the win in the final minutes with an impressive comeback. Ortiz's tactical flexibility and motivation made this match one of the standout events of the round.