Liga MX Clausura 2026: Cruz Azul Leads as Toluca Remains Unbeaten and Monterrey Resurges with a Rout

Matchday 9 of the Clausura 2026 tournament in Liga MX concluded with standout results that shape the direction of the championship this season. Cruz Azul remains steadfast as the leader after a victory in Torreón, Toluca maintains its unbeaten streak following an exciting away win over Pumas, and Monterrey reasserts its dominance with a resounding 4-0 win against Querétaro in its first match under Nico Sánchez.

Cruz Azul Strengthens Its Hold at the Top of Clausura

Cruz Azul shows no signs of relinquishing its grip on the tournament, securing its fourth consecutive win against Santos Laguna with a 2-1 score. The decisive goal came from José Paradela, who continues to be a key player in the attack led by Nicolás Larcamón. La Máquina remains at the summit with 22 points, just one point ahead of Toluca, which is rapidly closing in on the top spot.

Toluca, the Only Unbeaten Team, Stuns at Ciudad Universitaria

The back-to-back champion Toluca pulled off a surprise in its visit to Estadio Olímpico Universitario, staging a comeback against Pumas to secure a 3-2 victory thanks to goals from Diego Barbosa and Paulinho. This win allows them to retain their status as the only unbeaten team in the tournament and stay just one point behind leader Cruz Azul. Toluca’s performance reflects the strength of its squad and its competitive edge this season.

Monterrey Rebounds with a Rout and a Managerial Change

Monterrey needed a response after the dismissal of Domenec Torrent, and they found it with Nico Sánchez, who returned for his second stint in charge. With a standout performance from Sergio Canales, who scored a brace, and contributions from Jesús Corona and Luca Orellano, Los Rayados crushed Querétaro 4-0 at Estadio BBVA. This victory is a breath of fresh air for a team battling both in the standings and in confidence.

Matchday 9 by the Numbers and Result Summary

The round also delivered key results for the middle and lower parts of the table: Pachuca edged out Necaxa 2-1; Atlético San Luis crushed Mazatlán 4-1; Puebla defeated Tigres 3-1, while Atlas beat Tijuana 2-1. América continues to struggle after a 1-2 home loss to Juárez FC. The match between Guadalajara and León was rescheduled to March 18 due to a legends’ event at Estadio Akron.

Looking Ahead: Matchday 10

The action will continue with Matchday 10, kicking off with Mazatlán vs. León and featuring one of the most anticipated clashes: Cruz Azul vs. Atlético San Luis, where La Máquina will aim to maintain its top position. Another highlight will be the Clásico Regio between Tigres and Monterrey, as both teams seek to climb the standings.

Standings After Matchday 9

1. Cruz Azul – 22 points 2. Toluca – 21 points 3. Guadalajara – 18 points (one game in hand) 4. Pachuca – 17 points 5. Pumas – 16 points 6. Atlas – 16 points 7. Monterrey – 13 points 8. Tigres – 13 points 9. América – 11 points 10. Puebla – 11 points 11. Atlético San Luis – 10 points 12. Juárez FC – 10 points 13. León – 10 points (one game in hand) 14. Tijuana – 9 points 15. Necaxa – 9 points 16. Mazatlán – 7 points 17. Querétaro – 6 points 18. Santos – 2 points

With a tournament full of pace, comebacks, and battles across all positions, the Liga MX Clausura 2026 is experiencing decisive moments in this early stretch of the calendar, as teams prepare for an intense push toward the Liguilla and continental competitions.