The “Hell” of Toluca lived up to its name on January 14, 2026. In a high-stakes Jornada 2 clash of the Clausura 2026, Deportivo Toluca proved exactly why they are the reigning bicampeones. After falling behind early, the Diablos Rojos staged a fierce second-half comeback to defeat Santos Laguna 3-1, securing their second consecutive victory and moving to the top of the table.
This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. From the emotional return of their captain to the stand to the high-profile debut of a Mexican star, the Nemesio Diez was the center of the football world last night.
Match Report: From Cold Start to Boiling Points
Santos Laguna entered the match as the underdog but played with the discipline of a title contender. In the 21st minute, Fran Villalba silenced the stadium with a clinical right-footed strike following a brilliant assist from Ezequiel Bullaude. Santos held that 1-0 lead into the half, leaving Toluca fans anxious.
The second half, however, belonged entirely to the home side.
- The Equalizer (49′): A chaotic moment in the box led to an own goal by Haret Ortega, leveling the score and shifting the momentum.
- The Lead (53′): Just four minutes later, Marcel Ruiz found the back of the net from close range, completing the turnaround in less than five minutes.
- The Clincher (60′): The Brazilian wizard Helinho converted a penalty with his trademark left foot, sealing the 3-1 scoreline.
The “Hell” of Toluca lived up to its name on January 14, 2026. In a high-stakes Jornada 2 clash of the Clausura 2026, Deportivo Toluca proved exactly why they are the reigning bicampeones. After falling behind early, the Diablos Rojos staged a fierce second-half comeback to defeat Santos Laguna 3-1, securing their second consecutive victory and moving to the top of the table.
This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. From the emotional return of their captain to the stand to the high-profile debut of a Mexican star, the Nemesio Diez was the center of the football world last night.
Match Report: From Cold Start to Boiling Points
Santos Laguna entered the match as the underdog but played with the discipline of a title contender. In the 21st minute, Fran Villalba silenced the stadium with a clinical right-footed strike following a brilliant assist from Ezequiel Bullaude. Santos held that 1-0 lead into the half, leaving Toluca fans anxious.
The second half, however, belonged entirely to the home side.
- The Equalizer (49′): A chaotic moment in the box led to an own goal by Haret Ortega, leveling the score and shifting the momentum.
- The Lead (53′): Just four minutes later, Marcel Ruiz found the back of the net from close range, completing the turnaround in less than five minutes.
- The Clincher (60′): The Brazilian wizard Helinho converted a penalty with his trademark left foot, sealing the 3-1 scoreline.
The Night of the Stars: Helinho and Córdova
The spotlight was firmly on two men: the established hero and the new recruit.
Helinho: The MVP
With 76% possession and 20 shots throughout the game, Toluca’s dominance was orchestrated by Helinho. He wasn’t just the goalscorer for the third goal; he was the primary creator, finishing the night with 9 shots on target and a performance that justified his status as the league’s top playmaker.
Sebastián Córdova: The New Era
The fans got what they wanted in the 70th minute when Antonio Mohamed signaled for the debut of Sebastián Córdova. Replacing Helinho to a roar of applause, Córdova showed immediate chemistry with Marcel Ruiz and Pável Pérez, nearly contributing to a fourth goal in the dying minutes.
Legacy and Leadership
Two other stories rounded out the night. Francisco Pumpido, the 21-year-old son of legend Nery Pumpido, made his first-team debut, showing the poise of a veteran in the defense. Meanwhile, captain Alexis Vega was seen in the stands. Having undergone knee surgery just 48 hours prior, Vega’s presence was a reminder of the team’s unity as he begins a 4–6 week recovery process aiming for the CONCACAF Champions Cup.