'Happy with the win' – Monterrey, despite missing the injured Sergio Ramos, secure final spot in the Liguilla

Rayados defeated Pumas 2-0 and will face Toluca in the Liguilla quarterfinals

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Goals came from Berterame and DeossaSergio Canales and Óliver Torres returned to actionPumas were reduced to 10 men after Ruvalcaba sent offFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Despite missing Sergio Ramos due to injury, Monterrey secured the final spot in the Liguilla by defeating Pumas 2-0 at Estadio BBVA on Sunday. Goals from Germán Berterame in the 58th minute and Nelson Deossa in the 89th sealed the must-win match.

It was Martín Demichelis’ side who emerged victorious over Efraín Juárez’s Pumas, officially eliminating UNAM from the Clausura 2025. Monterrey will now turn their focus to Toluca, who they’ll face at home this week in the first leg of the quarterfinals.

Tensions ran high after the final whistle, as both Demichelis and Juárez were sent off following a heated exchange. As a result, Demichelis will not be on the bench for the first leg against Toluca.

“It was just a typical football argument. The match ended in a heated way, but everything stays on the field,” said Luis Pérez, Juárez's assistant, after the match.

“We’re convinced that Pumas needs to return to the top. We know who we represent, and we’re committed to improving every day,” Pérez added following UNAM’s elimination.

Meanwhile, Sebastián Grazzini, Demichelis’ assistant, emphasized the importance of having key players like Sergio Canales and Óliver Torres back in the squad: “They’re very important players. They gave us a boost, and we’re very happy to have them back. We’re excited and already looking forward to the match against Toluca.”

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

It’s a huge sigh of relief for Demichelis and Monterrey after qualifying for the Liguilla, especially following a week of intense criticism stemming from their loss to Pachuca in the first Play-In match. The pressure was evident, as Demichelis was met with loud boos from the home crowd when the lineups were announced for the decisive game against Pumas – clear discontent from Rayados fans over the team’s recent performances.

But now, it’s a clean slate. is back in the fight, boosted by the returns of Sergio Canales and Óliver Torres ahead of their quarterfinal showdown with Toluca. The only uncertainty remains the status of Ramos, who is still racing to recover in time for the first leg, set to be played at Estadio BBVA.

Getty Images SportWHAT SEBASTIÁN GRAZZINI SAID

Sergio Ramos was unable to join his teammates on the pitch for a second consecutive match, raising concerns about the Spanish defender’s fitness ahead of Monterrey’s Liguilla quarterfinal clash against Toluca.

Following the match – and in the absence of Demichelis, who was sent off – assistant coach Sebastián Grazzini provided an update on the former Real Madrid star.

“We’ll have to see how he progresses over the next few days and then determine if he can play. He’s a very important player for us,” said Grazzini.

When asked about the criticism aimed at Demichelis after his red card, Grazzini defended the coach: “He’s one of the most respectful people I know – he didn’t say anything or make any gestures. We’re happy with the win, and now we’re preparing to face a great opponent.”

Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?

Rayados are back in the Liguilla after eliminating Pumas, and with that, their hopes have been reignited. The reward? A quarterfinal matchup against Toluca, the tournament’s top seed – whom Monterrey held to a 1–1 draw in Matchday 2 of the Clausura 2025.

Recent history favors the Diablos. Of the last seven meetings between the two sides – most of them tightly contested – Monterrey has won just one. Four of those encounters ended in draws, while Toluca claimed victory twice, suggesting this quarterfinal tie could be an evenly matched battle.