Monterrey Reach First Liga MX Final in Five Years | OneFootball

Martín Demichelis masterminded another five-goal second leg to send Los Rayados to their first Liga MX final since 2019.

Monterrey netted five past Pumas at the Estadio Univeristario to seal their spot in the final four, after winning the initial leg 1-0.

The club endured a turbulent Apertura campaign, securing nine wins from seventeen matches while dropping points in eight games, including four defeats. Their season began on a sour note with a heavy 4-0 loss to Cruz Azul. However, there were standout moments, including a thrilling 4-2 victory over city rivals Tigres and an emphatic 4-0 triumph against Atlas in the penultimate match of the regular season.

Securing a place in the final four, Los Rayados were set to face an Atlético de San Luis side who handed them one of their four losses during the regular season, when the sides met at the Estadio Alfonso Lastras Ramírez.

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San Luis continued their impressive campaign with a victory in the first leg, courtesy of goals from Léo and Ricardo Chávez. Heading into the decisive second leg at the Estadio BBVA, San Luis stood on the brink of a historic run to the Apertura final. Often labeled as giant killers, they claimed major scalps along the way, defeating league leaders Cruz Azul, reigning bi-campeones Club América, and Chivas. Their 3-0 quarterfinal triumph over Tigres also dashed hopes of an all-Monterrey semifinal showdown.

In the second leg, Los Rayados started sluggishly, with the sides locked in a stalemate at halftime. The game came alive after the break as Óliver Torres, building on his goal against Pumas, struck again to double his season tally. Shortly after, Germán Berterame continued his red-hot form, netting his fourth goal in three games, maintaining his streak of scoring in every Liguilla match.

San Luis found a glimmer of hope when Sebastien Lamonge converted from the penalty spot. However, Monterrey were relentless, forcing Daniel Guillén into an own goal before Torres secured his third goal in two games. Brandon Vázquez then capped off the dominant display, sealing a resounding victory for Los Rayados.

Waiting in the final, Monterrey will meet either Club América or Cruz Azul in the final. Los Rayados suffered defeat both times they met the Mexico City sides, but will take confidence in the fact that they overcame the challenge of a San Luis side who got the better of them during the regular season.

Monterrey will look to utilise the form of Berterame who has contributed with ten goals in nineteen games. Los Rayados have scored the most goals in the Liguilla and will be a threat to whoever they face in the final.

The last time Monterrey reached a final, they triumphed over Club América to claim their fifth Liga MX title. Under the guidance of Antonio Mohamed—now rumored to be a candidate for the Toluca job—Los Rayados barely made it into the Liguilla, finishing the regular season in 8th place. They battled their way past Santos Laguna and Necaxa to secure a spot in the final.

In a closely contested series, both Monterrey and América won their home legs 2-1, forcing the championship to be decided by penalties. Monterrey ultimately prevailed, lifting their first title in nine years and cementing their place in Liga MX history.