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

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

The match was tightly contested in the first half, with neither side able to find the net. The deadlock was broken in the 54th minute when Helinho converted a penalty to give Toluca the lead. The home side doubled their advantage in the 70th minute through a goal from Briseño. Juarez responded quickly, with Castilho pulling one back in the 72nd minute to keep the visitors in the contest.

One of the key storylines was the return of Toluca’s captain Alexis Vega, who had been sidelined since the Apertura 2025 final due to a knee injury. Vega was introduced in the second half and featured for around 10 minutes, marking an important step in his recovery and reintegration into the squad.

As the match entered 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 victory for Toluca. This goal not only secured the three points but also highlighted Paulinho’s impact off the bench.

Under the management of Antonio Mohamed, Toluca extended their unbeaten streak in the 2026 Clausura to ten games, comprising seven wins and three draws. This result keeps Toluca firmly in second place in the league standings, just one point behind leaders Cruz Azul, who won their match against Atlético San Luis 3-0.

Looking ahead, Toluca will aim to maintain their strong form as the Clausura progresses, with the next fixtures providing opportunities to challenge for the top spot. Alexis Vega’s return adds an important attacking option for Mohamed, while Paulinho’s late goal underscores the value of depth in the squad. The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining whether Toluca can close the gap on Cruz Azul and mount a serious title challenge.