

The Campeón de Campeones trophy found a new home on July 26, 2026, as Cruz Azul produced a commanding 3-1 victory over Toluca at a neutral venue. The Máquina Cementera lifted the Mexican Super Cup for the first time in over a decade, leaving the Diablos Rojos to rue a slow start and costly defensive lapses.
Match Overview
From the opening whistle, Cruz Azul dictated the tempo, pressing high and exploiting space behind Toluca's full‑backs. By the 20th minute, they had already carved out three clear chances. Toluca, the reigning Liga MX champion, struggled to find their rhythm and fell behind early. The final scoreline of 3-1 reflected Cruz Azul's dominance in possession and the final third, though Toluca's late consolation goal added a flicker of tension to the closing stages.
Key Moments
- 12' – Cruz Azul strike first: A swift counter‑attack ended with a low cross from the right, slotted home by Carlos Rotondi at the near post. Goalkeeper Tiago Volpi had no chance.
- 34' – Double advantage: A corner kick was only half‑cleared, and Erik Lira volleyed the ball through a crowd of bodies to make it 2-0.
- 52' – Killer third: After a defensive mix‑up in the Toluca backline, Ángel Sepúlveda pounced on a loose ball inside the box and finished coolly into the bottom corner.
- 78' – Toluca pull one back: Jean Meneses collected a pass on the edge of the area, turned his marker, and fired a precise shot into the top corner to reduce the deficit.
Toluca pushed for a second goal in the final ten minutes, but Cruz Azul's backline, marshaled by Willian Diban, held firm to secure the trophy.
Tactical Story
Cruz Azul manager Martín Anselmi set his team up in a fluid 4‑3‑3 that turned into a 4‑2‑3‑1 when pressing. By overloading the central midfield, they forced Toluca's double pivot to retreat, creating space for wingers Rotondi and Sepúlveda to cut inside. Toluca's 4‑4‑2 never found a rhythm; their full‑backs were pinned back by Cruz Azul's wide runners, and the midfield duo of Claudio Baeza and Marcel Ruiz were outnumbered. The Diablos improved only after substituting an extra attacker, but by then the damage was done.
Standout Players
- Ángel Sepúlveda (Cruz Azul): A constant menace with his movement and finishing. Scored the crucial third goal and won three aerial duels.
- Carlos Rotondi (Cruz Azul): Opened the scoring and provided the assist for Lira's goal. His pace stretched Toluca's defence throughout.
- Jean Meneses (Toluca): The lone bright spark for the home side. His goal was a moment of individual quality, and he completed four dribbles.
Impact on the Season
By winning the Campeón de Campeones, Cruz Azul lift their first silverware of the 2026‑27 campaign and earn a direct berth in the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup. For Toluca, the defeat ends a perfect start to the new season but leaves them with a full Liga MX schedule to rebuild momentum. The Diablos Rojos will need to tighten their defending if they hope to retain their league crown.