Liga MX Apertura 2025: Five giants already secure their spot in the quarterfinals

The Apertura 2025 is entering its decisive stage, and the landscape is becoming clearer by the week. With just two rounds left, five teams have already punched their ticket to the Liguilla quarterfinals, confirming what many expected, the Liga MX power remains concentrated among the heavyweights.

The qualified teams: The big five dominate again

After 15 matchdays of high-intensity football, these are the five clubs that have mathematically secured their place in the Apertura 2025 quarterfinals:

• Toluca: 33 points

• Tigres UANL: 32 points

• Cruz Azul: 32 points

• Club América: 31 points

• Monterrey: 30 points

Each of these sides has been a constant presence at the top of the standings, showcasing elite depth, tactical consistency, and financial muscle.

The closing stretch could still shake things up: Toluca and América face each other on the final matchday, guaranteeing that one of them will drop points, and perhaps open the door for movement in the top three.

Monterrey completes the elite group

With 30 points, Monterrey became the fifth team to officially secure a direct ticket to the quarterfinals. Despite a 2-0 loss to Cruz Azul, results elsewhere, particularly Pachuca’s 2-2 draw with Toluca, sealed the deal for Domenec Torrent’s side.

Even in a worst case scenario, Monterrey can fall no lower than sixth place, ensuring they’ll avoid the Play-In and head straight into the Liguilla.

Liga MX’s new reality: dominance by design

The days of true parity in Mexican football are gone. The Liga MX now belongs to a handful of clubs that have built empires on the field and off it.

Between Toluca, Tigres, América, Cruz Azul, and Monterrey, they control not just the standings, but also the economics of the league. Collectively, these five squads boast a combined roster value exceeding $180 million and include a large portion of Mexico’s current national team pool.

Meanwhile, mid-table sides scramble to secure Play-In spots, hoping for a miracle. The divide has never been wider, and the balance of power seems here to stay.

What’s next: a Liguilla of giants

With five direct tickets already claimed, only one slot remains before the Play-In. That means the final two weeks of the regular season will be a war for survival for the rest.

If the favorites hold their ground, the Apertura 2025 Liguilla could be one of the most explosive in recent memory, filled with elite rosters, global stars, and high-stakes storylines that stretch from Monterrey to Mexico City.

The script is set, the giants are ready, and as always in Liga MX, anything can still happen before the final whistle.