Club Tijuana endured a heartbreaking 2-3 home defeat to Atlas on Saturday, a result that stalls their momentum in the Liga MX Apertura. Sebastián Abreu's side let a winning position slip with two late goals in a dramatic finale.
The loss leaves the Xoloitzcuintles in eighth place in the standings with 14 points from nine matches. They now sit six points behind leaders Toluca, making the final stretch of the season more challenging.
Atlas started brighter and took the lead in the 15th minute through a Ryan Mmaee goal, assisted by Kevin Zenón. Tijuana's response was swift. Mourad El Ghezouani leveled the score from the penalty spot in the 21st minute. The home side completed the turnaround before halftime when José Rivero, set up by Adonis Preciado, made it 2-1 in the 37th minute.
The second half was a relentless siege from Atlas, who enjoyed 70% possession and fired 21 shots. Tijuana's defense, reshuffled after an early injury to Unai Bilbao in the 41st minute, held firm until the dying moments. In the 87th minute, Luís André Leite Esteves converted a penalty to draw level. The winning goal for the visitors arrived in stoppage time, at 90+1, from Florián Monzón, again assisted by Zenón.
Sebastián Abreu told reporters the team deserved more for their effort but acknowledged defensive lapses at critical moments. The Uruguayan manager praised his players' commitment but admitted the need to maintain concentration for the full ninety minutes. Bilbao's injury, according to the medical report, forced an early defensive reshuffle.
With this defeat, Tijuana's form over the last five matches reads one win, one draw, and three losses. The team's next fixture is an away trip to face bottom-placed FC Juarez on October 10th. All upcoming match details can be found on our fixtures page.
