The second round of the Apertura 2026 season saw Toluca hosting Pumas at Estadio Nemesio Díez on July 21, 2026. The game was pushed up to Tuesday because Toluca FC is set to face off against Cruz Azul in the Campeón de Campeones, hosted at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, the home ground of six-time MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy, at 5:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. ET.
The Nemesio Diez Stadium, popularly known by two iconic nicknames: "La Bombonera" (The Chocolate Box) and "El Infierno" (Hell), hosted the game, which included several exciting subplots and recurring characters to write about.
The Stage Set Before the Game
The Diablos Rojos (Red Devils), managed by Antonio Mohamed, came into the game after a 2-0 win over 10-man Guadalajara on top of lifting the Concacaf Champions League trophy last season. The home game was the first opportunity for the team to debut their new championship kits in front of home fans.
Club Universidad Nacional, A.C., better known as Pumas, meanwhile arrived at "La Bombonera" licking their wounds after a 3-0 blanking at the hands of Pachuca in their first match of the season in front of their home fans at Estadio Olímpico Universitario.
A Few Bittersweet Homecomings
The high altitude saw a few critical figures donning the opposite colors, with Pumas’ striker Robert Morales, who transferred from Toluca earlier in the year, and midfielder Victor Arteaga playing against their former side.
On the other half of the field, Antonio “Turco” Mohamed, the Red Devils’ coach, has history with the Pumas, as he had managed the team throughout the 2023 season, taking them until the semifinals of the Liga MX before stepping down and making way for Gustavo Alberto Lema, Mohamed's former assistant.
How the Match Unfolded to a Home Upset
Toluca FC came into the game on the high of winning the Champions League and a 2-0 away win against Guadalajara. The club debuted their new New Balance retro kits and held the bulk of the possession with 63% of the ball. But the first home outing for the team turned bittersweet at La Bombonera, as their opponents came from behind in the second half to triumph 2-1 and shock the home fans.
Pumas UNAM, led by Esteban Solari, was looking for a redemptive performance, and the coach’s personnel shuffle worked out, with ex-Real Madrid and Costa Rican legendary goalkeeper Keylor Navas producing a spirited performance between the sticks to deny Toluca from increasing their lead after an early strike from Jorge Diaz in the 14th minute.
The Pumas have brought in heavy reinforcements to do better than the runners-up finish in Clausura 2026, which they last won in the 2011 season. The new attack features Robert Morales, who wore the scarlet red of Toluca last season. Morales made a good impression before his old home fans through a crucial assist for the equalizer scored in the 57th minute by another ex-Toluca player, Victor Arteaga.
The ex-Toluca duo alongside new addition and second-half substitute Sebastián Córdova took the game away from the home side. Córdova, who came in the 46th minute as a replacement for defender Pablo Bennevendo, scored a game-winning header goal in the 63rd minute from a fine assist from Rodrigo López.
The Pumas' attacking fervor at the beginning of the second half allowed the team to make the comeback win possible and jump up to 10th in the table and put the first game result in the back of their mind.
What’s Next?
Pumas UNAM travels to face off against FC Juárez on Friday, July 31st, at Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez, Ciudad Juárez at 10 p.m ET. Toluca FC, meanwhile, travels to Carson, California to face Cruz Azul in the Campeón de Campeones final on Saturday, July 25th at 8:30 p.m. ET. They play the Apertura again on Sunday, August 2nd, again at the Estadio Nemesio Díez, against the traveling Club Necaxa, at 8:00 p.m. ET.
