Chivas is actually doing it. They’ve played three, won three, and somehow look like a different animal than the team that sputtered out last year. If you’ve been ignoring la liga mx scores since the New Year, you’ve missed a weirdly aggressive start to the Clausura 2026.
Honestly, the table looks upside down. Toluca is the back-to-back champion, having just raised the trophy in December, but they just dropped their first points in a scoreless slog against Tigres. It was a replay of the last final, only with more cards than shots on goal. Juanjo Purata got sent off for Tigres, and Hugo González had to stand on his head to keep Toluca from snatching it late.
It’s frantic. It’s early. And with the World Cup looming in the summer, the league is acting like it’s in a massive rush.
The Big Clubs are Stumbling (Mostly)
Let's talk about Club América. They have one point. One. They’ve played twice and haven’t found the back of the net a single time. It’s kinda surreal seeing them sitting in 16th place while Chivas sits comfortably at the top with a perfect nine points. Chivas just scraped past Querétaro 2-1 this weekend to keep that streak alive.
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Then there’s Monterrey. They absolute demolished Mazatlán 5-1. It felt like a statement, but it might also be a farewell. Germán Berterame, their star man, scored in that blowout, but the rumors of him heading to Inter Miami to play with Messi are getting loud. Like, $15 million release clause loud. If he leaves tomorrow, that 5-1 scoreline is going to feel like a very bittersweet memory for Rayados fans.
The Weird New "Cuauhtémoc" Vibe
Cruz Azul has a new home, sort of. They’re playing their "home" games at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla because they couldn't get the lease sorted for their usual spot in Mexico City. It’s basically a road game every week. Somehow, it’s working. They beat Puebla (the actual residents of that stadium) 1-0 this weekend. Imagine paying rent to your neighbor and then beating them up in their own living room. That’s La Máquina right now.
Why the Schedule is a Mess Right Now
If you look at the upcoming fixtures, you’ll notice something strange. There is a giant gap. After today's games (Pumas vs. León, Pachuca vs. América), the league basically goes into hibernation until January 30th.
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Why? Because the Mexican National Team is cramming in friendlies against Panama and Bolivia. Since 2026 is a World Cup year and Mexico is co-hosting, the FMF is prioritizing "El Tri" over everything else. They even scrapped the "Play-In" tournament for this season.
Basically, if you don't finish in the top eight, you’re done. No second chances. No "maybe we can sneak in from 10th place." It’s a ruthless change that has teams playing like every single goal matters in January.
Top Scorers to Watch
- João Pedro (San Luis): The guy has 14 goals if you count the Apertura carry-over stats. He’s the real deal.
- Armando "Hormiga" González: Chivas' homegrown hope. He's been clinical.
- Paulinho: Toluca's engine. Even when they draw 0-0, he’s the most dangerous man on the pitch.
What Actually Matters Moving Forward
Forget the "preseason" feel of January. By February, the intensity is going to triple. The league has a hard deadline because any player called up for the World Cup has to leave their club by April 30th.
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Think about that. The Liguilla (playoffs) in May will happen without the best Mexican players. If your team relies on national team stars, you’re in trouble. Chivas, who only use Mexican players, might have to play their academy kids in the semi-finals. It’s a bizarre handicap that makes the current standings almost irrelevant for the long term, but vital for immediate survival.
Actionable Insights for Following the Season:
- Watch the Foreigner Count: Teams can now field nine foreigners at once. Watch how clubs like América and Tigres leverage this to offset the loss of their Mexican stars in May.
- Ignore the "Home" Advantage for Cruz Azul: They are nomads this season. Treat their games like neutral site matches.
- Track the Berterame Saga: If Monterrey loses him to MLS this week, their offensive production will likely crater by 30% overnight.
- Check the 8th Spot: Since there's no Play-In, the battle for 8th place between teams like San Luis, Tijuana, and Atlas is where the real drama will be.
The league is moving fast because it has to. Catch the scores while you can, because the rosters you see today won't be the ones lifting the trophy in May.