Paulinho’s Late Goal Seals Toluca Victory as Alexis Vega Returns from Injury

Toluca claimed a 3-1 victory over Juarez at home during the 11th round of the 2026 Clausura Tournament, a match notable for the return of captain Alexis Vega and a late, decisive goal from substitute Paulinho.

The match saw Toluca, coached by Antonio Mohamed, extend their unbeaten run to ten games in the Clausura season, now boasting seven wins and three draws. This consistent form has kept Toluca firmly in contention near the top of the Liga MX standings.

Alexis Vega, Toluca’s captain, made his first appearance since the Apertura 2025 final, returning from a knee injury that sidelined him for several months. He came on as a substitute in the second half and contributed around ten minutes of play, signaling a positive step in his recovery and potential reintegration into the team’s starting lineup.

The scoring opened in the 54th minute when Helinho converted a penalty to give Toluca the lead. The advantage was doubled in the 70th minute by Briseño, putting Toluca ahead 2-0. Juarez responded quickly with a goal from Castilho in the 72nd minute, narrowing the deficit to 2-1 and setting up a tense finish.

In stoppage time, Paulinho, who had come on as a substitute in the 77th minute, scored a spectacular goal with a scissor kick in the 90+8 minute to seal the 3-1 victory for Toluca. This goal not only secured the win but also demonstrated the impact of the bench players in crucial moments of the match.

With this result, Toluca remains in second place in the Liga MX Clausura standings, just one point behind leaders Cruz Azul, who won their match 3-0 against Atlético San Luis. The narrow gap at the top highlights the competitive nature of the league at this stage of the season.

Looking ahead, Toluca will aim to maintain their strong form as they prepare for upcoming fixtures, with the return of Alexis Vega providing an additional boost to their attacking options. The team will also be keen to capitalize on their current momentum to challenge for the Clausura title, while closely monitoring the performances of their rivals in the tightly contested league table.