Liga MX 2025. Team of the week: Wunderkind Gilberto Mora and diamond Alexis Vega
March 28-30 witnessed the matches of the 13th round of the Liga MX Clausura (Mexican Championship) 2025.
On the first matchday, Necaxa defeated Querétaro, while Mazatlán, with a numerical advantage, triumphed over Atlas.
On the second matchday, Toluca proved stronger than Pachuca, Juárez scored two unanswered goals against Puebla, and América crushed Tigres. Chivas narrowly lost at home to Cruz Azul, while Tijuana won away at Monterrey.
On the third matchday, San Luis, trailing 0-2 by the 32nd minute, staged a comeback by scoring three times, while León, losing to Pumas, suffered their third consecutive defeat.
Introducing the symbolic team of the 13th round.
Goalkeeper: Kevin Mier (Cruz Azul)
The 24-year-old Colombian kept a clean sheet for the second consecutive match (and third time this season). In the game against Chivas, he needed to make five saves and intercept two crosses to achieve this.
Mier also delivered 5 long passes, made one clearance, won two ground duels, and even completed a successful dribble.
Left-back: Gonzalo Piovi (Cruz Azul)
In the victory over Chivas, the 30-year-old Argentine made 13 clearances and 5 tackles, as well as one interception and one blocked shot. Piovi delivered 6 long and one key pass and emerged victorious in 6 out of 8 duels on the ground and in the air.
Center-back: Alexis Peña (Necaxa)
The captain of the "Lightning" made 13 clearances and one tackle against Querétaro. He completed 67 (97%) accurate passes, including 2 long balls. He won all 3 of his ground and aerial duels.
In the 81st minute, Peña scored to set the final score (2-0) of the match. Alexis last scored in the Mexican Championship (Apertura) in November 2023.
Right-back: Kevin Álvarez (América)
The 26-year-old Mexican earned a penalty at the end of the first half, which Bryan Rodríguez converted, and in the 77th minute, assisted Víctor Dávila for the third goal of the "Eagles" against the "Tigers".
Álvarez also made 2 clearances and one tackle. He completed 23 (92%) accurate passes, 2 of which were long, and created one goal-scoring opportunity.
Left midfielder: Gilberto Mora (Tijuana)
The 16-year-old wunderkind scored his second career goal in the 83rd minute against Monterrey, securing three crucial points for the "Dogs".
Additionally, Mora completed 18 (82%) accurate passes, including 2 long and one key pass. He successfully completed two of his four dribbling attempts. Gilberto also won 7 out of 12 ground duels. Mora made 3 tackles and 3 interceptions.
Central midfielder: Álvaro Fidalgo (América)
In the match against Tigres, the 27-year-old Spaniard completed 42 (81%) accurate passes, including 9 long and 2 key passes. Álvaro made 2 out of 3 successful dribbles, won 6 out of 8 ground duels. Fidalgo made 2 interceptions and blocks, as well as 3 tackles.
In the 32nd minute, following Álvaro's pass, Bryan Rodríguez started the rout of Tigres.
Right midfielder: Vitinho (Atlético San Luis)
The 23-year-old Brazilian made 3 key and one long pass against Santos Laguna, as well as one cross and created a goal-scoring chance. Vitinho completed 2 successful dribbles and won 6 ground duels. He forced opponents to foul him three times, made one interception and one tackle.
In the 70th minute, the Brazilian scored the winning goal, giving the "Red and Whites" a comeback victory.
Attacking midfielder: Jesús Ricardo Angulo (Toluca)
In the match against Pachuca, Angulo achieved a 100% conversion rate. In 64 minutes on the field, Angulo only struck twice at the opponent's goal. But both attempts resulted in goals for the "Gophers". Jesús also made 2 key and long passes.
Left winger: Alexis Vega (Toluca)
The captain of the "Red Devils" once again secured crucial three points for the team. This time he recorded an assist and scored a goal. In the last three games, Vega has 7 goal involvements.
Additionally, Alexis delivered 6 key and 4 long passes, and made 3 crosses. Vega completed 6 successful dribbles and won 12 ground duels. He also performed 3 tackles and one interception.
Right winger: Nicolás Benedetti (Mazatlán)
In the game against Atlas, the 27-year-old Colombian completed 2 successful dribbles. He delivered 32 (91%) accurate passes, including 3 key and 4 long passes, and one cross. Benedetti also created a goal-scoring opportunity. Nicolás won 5 out of 7 ground duels and cleared the ball twice.
In the 27th minute, his precise free-kick equalized the score in the match, which eventually ended in a Mazatlán victory. This was Benedetti's third goal in the current tournament.
Forward: Bryan Rodríguez (América)
The 25-year-old Uruguayan scored 2 of América's 3 goals. In the 31st minute, he scored from open play, and 15 minutes later, he converted a penalty. This is Rodríguez's second brace in the current tournament.
Coach: Cirilo Saucedo (Tijuana)
Despite being a newcomer on the coaching scene (only his third match as a coach) and Tijuana's difficult position as tournament outsiders, Saucedo masterfully exploited the vulnerabilities of the struggling "Striped" team.
Cirilo, serving as Tijuana's interim coach, called the victory a feat for his players, given the difference in team quality.
His tactical approach allowed "Xolos" to effectively use long passes and the speed of attacking players, as well as capitalize on Monterrey's defensive errors.
This victory not only lifted Tijuana off the bottom spot but also demonstrated Saucedo's ability to inspire the team to achieve a feat against a stronger opponent away from home.
Luis Torres
Dailysports's expert
