Santos Laguna's U-19 team has qualified for the Clausura 2026 tournament final after a dramatic victory over Toluca. This academy success comes as the senior team navigates a difficult period in the Liga MX, according to verified data as of September 2, 2026.
How did the U-19 team reach the final?
According to the official report on the club's website, the young Warriors defeated Toluca FC with a 5-4 aggregate score. The second leg of the semifinals, played at the Metepec facilities, ended 3-2 in favor of the albiverde side. Coach Agustín Herrera led the team that showed character to come from behind.
Forward Magnus López was decisive, scoring two goals in the 33rd and 63rd minutes, mirroring his performance from the first leg. Cristian Martínez had equalized in the 26th minute after Toluca took an early lead. With this result, Santos Laguna U-19 awaits the winner of the América vs. Tijuana matchup to decide the Clausura 2026 champion. This will be the category's second consecutive final.
What is the context for the senior team?
While the academy shines, Santos Laguna's professional team is facing a tough start to the 2026 season. Current data shows the club sits in 17th place in the Liga MX table. They have managed only one point from six matches, with zero wins, one draw, and five losses.
Their last outing was a goalless draw against Tigres UANL on August 30. The goal difference is also a concern, with just four scored and eleven conceded for a -7 differential. In the current standings, the team trails leaders Club America by fifteen points.
What's next for the club in the coming weeks?
The senior team's next official match is against Cruz Azul, away, on September 7. Cruz Azul currently occupies tenth place in the table, representing another challenging fixture in the search for the season's first three points. Fans can check the full schedule on our fixtures page.
Meanwhile, the U-19 side prepares for its grand final, seeking the club's first Liga MX title in this category. The Warrior Academy has won ten Liga MX titles across its various categories throughout its history. The squad that achieved the feat included players like Matías Velázquez, Esteban Garza, and scorer Magnus López, among others.
The club's focus is now split between supporting the youth project and correcting the course of the main team. The match against Cruz Azul will be a key opportunity to change the negative dynamic, which in the last five games shows two draws and three losses. Detailed performance data is available in our stats section.
