Toro Fernández avoids defeat for Cruz Azul; draws 2-2 with Querétaro

▲ The Sky Blue striker scored in the 83rd minute to keep La Máquina undefeated and in the lead. Photo by AFP

From the editorial staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Thursday, September 25, 2025, p. a12

A match that seemed low-stakes almost ended in disaster for Cruz Azul. Gabriel Toro Fernández came to the rescue of La Máquina, following a mistake by goalkeeper Kevin Mier, to avoid an embarrassing defeat and secure a 2-2 draw against last-place Querétaro in the final stretch.

The unexpected result ended the Celestes' seven-game winning streak, though they remain undefeated at the top with 24 points, two more than Monterrey, after 10 rounds, while the Gallos are still struggling in 15th place with just eight points.

With expectations high following their near-perfect season under Nicolás Larcamón, La Máquina arrived at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario with high confidence. Thus, in the 14th minute, they took a risk with a move that would give them the lead when Carlos Rodríguez broke through the opposing defense to pass the ball to José Paradela, who fired a shot from the corner of the net.

The script for the match followed what the statistics dictated: Cruz Azul dominated against a Querétaro side that was floundering near the bottom of the standings in its first tournament under the ownership of American businessman Marc Spiegel.

However, the narrative would change when Uruguayan Santiago Homenchenko, a promising player in his home country who now seeks to make a comeback, emerged as the guiding force in the Gallos' attack to equalize the score just five minutes later with a shot from inside the box.

With his spirits already high, Homenchenko (20) found the perfect moment to take advantage of a vital error by Mier. The Uruguayan unleashed a powerful shot from further back in midfield that took the goalkeeper by surprise, who was unable to react and allowed the ball to reach the net.

The error unbalanced La Máquina, which was unused to the disadvantage scenario and would suffer on the court for the first time this season.

However, now, a reckless move on the part of both the Querétaro team and the Celestes themselves would change the pace of the game for an intense outcome.

Jhojan Julio was sent off in the 62nd minute for a foul on Willer Ditta; La Máquina also finished with 10 men on the field when Luka Romero, one of the squad's young talents, was sent off for a harsh challenge on Francisco Venegas.

It was then that Cruz Azul took advantage of Querétaro's confusion and was saved from losing its unbeaten record – against a supposedly lower-ranking rival – with a goal by Toro Fernandez (83), which allowed him to emerge as the sky-blue hero.

Nerves dominated the final whistle after referee Karen Hernández, who was officiating her third match this season in the Liga MX, awarded up to 14 minutes of stoppage time, a considerable period in which neither team was able to secure a win.

In another match of the day, Tigres defeated Atlas 2-0 with goals from Ozziel Herrera in the fifth minute and Diego Lainez in the 62nd minute yesterday at the UANL University Stadium.

From the editorial staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Thursday, September 25, 2025, p. a12

Rommel Pacheco, head of the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sports (CONADE), stated that if the Olympic Games were held this year, Mexico would be guaranteed five medals.

The Yucatecan was optimistic about the growth of disciplines such as diving and archery and promised that they would not be left wanting in Los Angeles 2028.

"If the Games were held tomorrow, we'd have four or five Olympic podium finishes. You have to work and train to achieve results. The variables can be many," said the former diver.

This year, he added, some qualifying events will begin, so the national team members will have to redouble their training efforts to secure their spot as soon as possible.

"We have to start preparing today, because qualifying in an Olympic year is more difficult. Every sport has its own timing, and that's why we have to work with coaches and federations to define the schedule well. If we do everything right, we can even dream of surpassing the nine medals achieved in Mexico City in 1968."

The former diver led the presentation of the Pan American Archery Championship, which will be held in Chiapas. Olympic teammate Matías Grande also attended the event.

Fabiola Ramírez wins bronze in Singapore

Mexican Fabiola Ramírez won the bronze medal in the 200m freestyle S2 at the 2025 Singapore World Para Swimming Championships.

In a competition held at the OCBC Aquatic Center, the team finished with a time of 5:12.66 minutes, which meant third place and a record for the Americas.

The Guanajuato native and bronze medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games gave the country its fifth medal in the competition.

▲ Mexican Isaac del Toro trained yesterday with Slovenian star Tadej Pogacar (left), his teammate on UAE Team Emirates, before the men's elite road race, which will be held this Sunday at the Cycling World Championships in Rwanda. Del Toro, who in the image is flanked by fellow tricolors Eder Frayre and David Ruvalcaba, will have Pogacar as his rival to beat, along with Belgian Remco Evenepoel. Photo AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Thursday, September 25, 2025, p. a12