The Clausura 2026 playoff quarterfinals was one to remember!
Who prevailed? Here’s everything you need to know:
Tigres vs Toluca
This matchup proved to be the most exciting of the four.
On one hand, you had the reigning champions, Tigres. They didn’t reach their high standard this season but they came into this quarterfinal with huge momentum after a convincing win against their rivals, Rayadas. Besides that, history said that they never lost in the quarterfinals.
On the other hand, you had a Toluca with a roster full
of international stars with tons of experience playing in big tournaments in Europe and for their national teams.
Who prevailed?
In the first leg, one of the tournament’s goalscorers, Diana Ordóñez, put her name on the score sheet when she opened the tab for Tigres in the 43rd minute.
However, the other tournament’s goal scorer, Eugénie Le Sommer, found the equalizer in the 66th minute and 12 minutes later, Faustine Robert, turned things around with a great shot that goalkeeper Cecilia Santiago couldn’t stop.
Things got dramatic when, in stoppage time, VAR awarded a PK to Tigres due to a handball. Spaniard Jenni Hermoso stepped on the penalty spot but goalkeeper Valeria Martínez came in clutch and stopped it.
The second leg took place at the legendary venue, El Volcán – the fortress for Tigres. If there’s a difficult environment to play in, this would be the stadium.
Fans came in numbers but the final score was the same: 2-1. Toluca’s Diana Guatemala opened the scoring in the 29th minute and Robert doubled the lead. Ordóñez pulled one back for Tigres from the penalty spot. But after that, the Diablas held on and achieved what no other team had been able to do until then: take Tigres in the quarterfinals.
The second leg left an absolute impression for all those watching. Stephany Mayor tried to score with a bicycle kick but Valeria Martínez came in clutch for a second time in this bracket and made a one-handed save.
Despite this big result, French coach Patrice Lair announced after the game that he’s leaving the club due to personal reasons. On the other hand, Tigres’ fans are demanding Pedro Martínez Losa’s job after this negative result.
Rayadas de Monterrey vs Cruz Azul
Rayadas de Monterrey didn’t have any problem eliminating Cruz Azul with an aggregate score of 5-1. Even though the first leg left an even score, Monterrey took the field advantage to heart and beat Cruz Azul 4-0.
With goals scored by Rayadas’ Valeria del Campo in the 16th minute, La Máquina sought the equalizer the entire game and was successful when Uchenna Kanu shot the ball from the penalty spot and left the second leg pretty open.
Coach Amandine Miquel didn’t want any surprises and her team was merciless. Marcela Restrepo in the 24th minute, Lucía García scored a brace in two minutes and then completed her hat-trick in the 64th minute. She was chosen as the game’s MVP but more importantly, she helped her team by sending them to the semifinals.
Club América vs Juárez
Although Club América is always a contender for the title, they tend to let the playoffs get the best out of them… or sometimes the worst. This time was no exception.
They played the 8th table team since they finished first, but both legs ended up being pretty close. With the first one finishing 1-1. Juárez’s Liliana Mercado opened the score early, in the 12th minute and then, Scarlett Camberos found the equalizer in the 61st minute.
Anything could have happened in the second leg and it was like that indeed. Aisha Solórzano scored for Juárez in the 23rd minute, then Irene Guerrero found the equalizer. Things could’ve been very wrong for the visitors since Yunaira López was sent off in the 39th with her second yellow card, which left them playing with 10 players for more than 50 minutes.
Despite this, Bravas took the lead again through Aurélie Kaci in the 58.th minute For América, Camberos leveled the proceedings in the 73rd minute. It was all drama and nerves since, but a long-distance shot got deflected by one of Juárez’s players made it impossible for goalkeeper Alejandría Godinez to save that shot.
At the end of the day, América went through, but not without some controversy, and fans are preoccupied again with how close they were to being out of title contention once again.
Pachuca vs Chivas de Guadalajara
The fourth- and fifth-seeded teams faced each other in this bracket, with Chivas winning the first leg. But the news included not only this win but also Licha Cervantes breaking a club record.
The striker was the one who opened the score in the 35th minute. And, she hit the 161 mark of goals scored for the Guadalajara club – surpassing Omar Bravo, who held the club’s top goalscoring previously.
After that, Jasmine Cásarez put things 2-0 in the 58th minute but Pachuca pulled one back through Andrea Pereira in the 77th minute from the penalty spot.
Nonetheless, it looked like Chivas’ tank emptied in the first leg because they couldn’t do anything against Pachuca playing at their house. In the 39th minute, Natalia Mauleón opened the scoring and then, Tuzas’ goalscorer, Charlyn Corral, made it 2-0.
Two unanswered goals sent Pachuca to the semifinals.
What’s next?
Semifinals start on Thursday. Club América and Rayadas will welcome Toluca and Pachuca, respectively. And the second legs will be played on Sunday.
