Toluca Vs Orlando City Highlights, Leagues Cup Quarter-Final: Lions Edge Diablos 6-5 On Penalties To Reach Semifinals

Greetings and welcome, football lovers. We are back with another live blog, this time featuring Mexican Liga MX champions Toluca and Major League Soccer team Orlando City. Stay with us for the build-up and live updates from the second Leagues Cup quarter-final.

The Leagues Cup quarter-final between Toluca and Orlando City is finally underway after an 11-minute delay, players are on the pitch, fans are buzzing, and we’re ready for some high-octane action.

Early chance for Orlando City. Ivan Angulo gets a shot away from the left side of the box, but it sails high and wide to the right. Martin Ojeda did the clever work to set it up, but Toluca breathe a sigh of relief as the visitors almost strike first. The crowd is on the edge of their seats already.

Orlando City caught offside. Alexander Freeman made a darting run, but the flag goes up just in time. The attack fizzles out, and Toluca can reset. That was a close call, Orlando are sniffing around the box, but the timing just wasn’t right.

Toluca earn a free kick. Helinho draws the foul in their own half, giving Toluca a breather and a chance to reorganize. A small pause in the action, but sometimes these set-pieces can spark something dangerous later on.

Another chance for Orlando City. Martin Ojeda lets fly from outside the box with his left foot, but it sails high and wide to the left. Toluca’s defense holds firm for now, but Orlando are starting to press and create a few nervy moments.

Action heating up. Paulinho fires a shot from outside the box, but it’s blocked by the Orlando defense, Toluca are looking lively. Right after, Robin Jansson wins a free kick for Orlando in their own half after a foul by Jesús Angulo. The game is buzzing back and forth now, both teams refusing to sit back.

Orlando City earn another free kick. Eduard Atuesta draws the foul from Jesús Gallardo in the defensive half. The Lions get a breather and a chance to reset as the Diablos’ aggression keeps the game spicy.

Half-Time at Dignity Health Sports Park. The whistle blows on a pulsating first half, Toluca 0, Orlando City SC 0. Both sides have had their moments, with Orlando City SC pressing and Toluca looking dangerous on the break. Plenty of drama, tension, and near-misses, but no breakthrough just yet.

Yellow card for Orlando City SC. David Brekalo is booked after a reckless challenge, giving Toluca a chance to capitalize on the set-piece. The tension is rising as the game heats up in the second half.

Late changes as both teams freshen up. Orlando City SC brings on Joran Gerbet for Eduard Atuesta, while Toluca counters by sending Nicolás Castro on for Marcel Ruiz. Both sides are looking for that decisive spark in the dying minutes, tension is sky-high.

Full-Time at Dignity Health Sports Park. After a tense 90 minutes, Toluca 0, Orlando City SC 0, the Diablos and Lions couldn’t be separated in regular time. All eyes now turn to the penalty shootout, where every kick could decide who moves into the Leagues Cup semi-finals.

Penalty Shootout Madness. The tension was unbearable at Dignity Health Sports Park as Toluca and Orlando City SC traded penalty after penalty in a nerve-wracking shootout:

• Alexis Vega (Toluca) slots the first kick bottom right-Diablos strike first.

• Martín Ojeda (Orlando City SC) responds with a precise left-footed finish, Lions level.

• Federico Pereira (Toluca) converts to make it 2-1.

• Robin Jansson (Orlando City SC) keeps the Lions alive with a calm finish.

• Robert Morales (Toluca) scores, 3-2.

• Alexander Freeman (Orlando City SC) matches it, 3-3.

• Jesús Gallardo (Toluca) makes it 4-3.

• Joran Gerbet (Orlando City SC) keeps Lions in it, 4-4.

• Franco Romero (Toluca) converts, 5-4.

• Kyle Smith (Orlando City SC) holds his nerve to equalize, 5-5.

Final Result: Orlando City SC edges Toluca 6-5 on penalties, sealing a heart-stopping win and booking their spot in the Leagues Cup semi-finals.

That’s a wrap from Dignity Health Sports Park. Thanks for joining the rollercoaster of action, stay tuned for the next live blog. Until then, bye-bye.