Club Tijuana broke their streak of draws by defeating Tigres 3-1 at Estadio Caliente, in a match full of emotions and unexpected twists. Mourad El Ghezouani emerged as the star of the night, sealing the game with a double in the final minutes that sparked euphoria on the border. The Xolos, leaders of the table, demonstrated character to overcome a Tigres team that, despite their position at the bottom, fought until the last breath.
What happened?
From the start, the match was a back-and-forth affair. Jesús Garza of Tigres and Diego Abreu of Tijuana starred in the first attempts to be saved, showing the offensive intent of both teams. The first major shake-up came at minute 17 with the injury of Ignacio Rivero, forcing an early change in Club Tijuana with the entry of Ángel Zapata. The balance shifted in favor of the locals when Ramiro Árciga opened the scoring at minute 31, with a raw shot that put the 1-0.
Why it matters for Club Tijuana?
The win allows Tijuana to solidify their position at the top of the table, with a record of 3 points, 1 win and 0 losses in 1 game. Despite being 3 points behind the leaders Cruz Azul, this victory is an important step towards the title.
What comes next?
The next game for Club Tijuana is on August 7 in Austin, in a match that will be crucial to maintaining their position in the table. With the confidence of having overcome Tigres, the Xolos are ready to face new challenges.
The second half began with a revitalized Tigres team that found the equalizer at minute 56, thanks to a header from Ozziel Herrera after a corner kick. The visiting goal foreshadowed a tight finish, with both teams seeking the advantage. The match became physical, with a flurry of yellow cards at minute 69 for players from both teams, reflecting the intensity in the midfield.
With the clock ticking and the tie persisting, Club Tijuana made multiple offensive changes, seeking the spark that would give them the victory. The persistence paid off in the added time. At minute 90'+5, Mourad El Ghezouani converted a crucial penalty, putting the 2-1 and sparking chaos at Estadio Caliente. Not content with that, El Ghezouani sealed his dream night with a left-footed shot from outside the area at 90'+8, signing the 3-1 definitive and confirming his role as the hero of the game.
The win allows Tijuana to solidify their position at the top, while Tigres laments a defeat that slipped away in the final moments. With the confidence of having overcome Tigres, the Xolos are ready to face new challenges. Their next game is on August 7 in Austin, in a match that will be crucial to maintaining their position in the table.
League standing: 3rd in Liga MX, 3 pts, 1W-0D-0L from 1 games, recent form W. Goals this season: 3 scored, 1 conceded (+2 goal difference). Title race: 3 points behind leaders Cruz Azul. Next fixture: vs Austin (away, 2026-08-07).
