Toluca Aim to End Playoff Curse Against Tigres in High-Stakes Semifinal

The Clausura 2025 semifinal between Toluca and Tigres is more than a battle for a spot in the final—it’s a clash steeped in history and redemption. As ESPN reports, Toluca, despite finishing top of the regular season, have never eliminated Tigres in six previous Liguilla encounters dating back to 1996.

Tigres come in without their legendary striker André-Pierre Gignac, whose absence has been felt deeply. Nicolás Ibáñez, expected to lead the line, has yet to replicate his Pachuca form. With key injuries, including Rafael Carioca, and inconsistent midfield transitions, Tigres scraped past Necaxa thanks to goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán and controversial calls.

Toluca, now led by Antonio Mohamed, topped the regular season but were shaky in the playoffs. Against Monterrey, they lost the first leg and were down to 10 men for most of the second leg. They advanced thanks to the tiebreaker rule, not dominance.

Defensively, Toluca remain fragile. With 22 goals conceded in the regular season—the third worst among the top eight—and four more against Rayados, their backline remains a liability. Set-piece vulnerability and lapses in transitions must be addressed if they hope to overcome Tigres.

For several Tigres players—like Marcelo Flores, Fulgencio, Pizzuto, and even Carioca—this Liguilla could define their future with the club. Toluca, meanwhile, seek to end their playoff curse against the northern giants and finally turn potential into silverware.