Monterrey And Tijuana Share Spoils In Four-Goal Thriller

The Estadio BBVA was buzzing with energy on Saturday night as Monterrey and Club Tijuana clashed in a rollercoaster 2-2 draw for Matchday 4 of the Liga MX 2025/26 Clausura. Fans who tuned in via Canal 5, TUDN, ViX in Mexico, or TUDN and Univision in the United States, witnessed a match that had everything: drama, goals, penalties, and a flurry of late chances that kept everyone guessing until the final whistle.

From the opening minutes, it was clear this contest would be anything but predictable. Just three minutes in, disaster struck for Monterrey as Alonso Aceves inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, handing Tijuana an early 1-0 advantage. The own goal came after Adonis Preciado’s header was parried and Kevin Castañeda’s follow-up forced a corner, ultimately leading to the unfortunate deflection. Talk about a nightmare start for the home side!

But Monterrey, never a team to wilt under pressure, responded with determination. The hosts pressed forward, creating a series of chances as they sought to erase the early deficit. Their persistence paid off in the 26th minute, when Sergio Canales calmly slotted home from the center of the area, finishing a well-worked move set up by Óliver Torres. The equalizer sent the Estadio BBVA crowd into a frenzy and seemed to shift the momentum in Monterrey’s favor.

Both teams continued to trade blows for the remainder of the first half. Tijuana’s Kevin Castañeda rattled the crossbar with a thunderous strike from distance in the 42nd minute, while Monterrey’s Roberto de la Rosa and Ricardo Chávez both threatened with headers that narrowly missed the target. The first half ended with the score locked at 1-1, leaving everything to play for in the second stanza.

Halftime brought a flurry of substitutions from Monterrey, with Stefan Medina, Luca Orellano, and Lucas Ocampos entering the fray. The changes injected fresh energy into the home side’s attack, but it was Tijuana who seized the initiative after the break. In the 59th minute, Adonis Preciado was brought down inside the box by Luca Orellano, prompting the referee to point to the spot. With nerves of steel, Kevin Castañeda stepped up and buried the penalty kick in the 61st minute, restoring Tijuana’s lead at 2-1.

The visitors looked poised to snatch all three points, but Monterrey’s resilience shone through once again. The hosts ramped up the pressure, winning corners and testing Tijuana goalkeeper Antonio Rodríguez with a barrage of shots. Their efforts were finally rewarded in the 79th minute, when Luca Orellano—redeeming himself for conceding the penalty—unleashed a spectacular left-footed drive from outside the area, finding the top corner and leveling the score at 2-2. The goal was the product of relentless attacking and a well-timed set piece, sending the home fans into raptures.

"We never gave up, even after going behind twice," said Monterrey’s Sergio Canales after the match. "The team showed character and fought for every ball. That’s the spirit we need in this tournament." According to the minute-by-minute coverage, Canales was a constant threat, orchestrating attacks and nearly grabbing a winner deep into stoppage time with a powerful left-footed effort that was saved at the right post.

Tijuana, for their part, played with grit and discipline, absorbing Monterrey’s attacks and looking to hit on the counter. Mourad El Ghezouani and Ignacio Rivero were instrumental in midfield, while Castañeda’s composure from the penalty spot underscored his value to the squad. "We’re disappointed not to take the win, but proud of our performance," remarked Tijuana’s Kevin Castañeda. "It’s always tough playing away at Monterrey, but we showed we can compete with anyone."

The match was not without its share of disciplinary drama. Yellow cards were handed out to several players, including Ricardo Chávez (Monterrey), Antonio Rodríguez and Pablo Ortíz (Tijuana), Lucas Ocampos (Monterrey), Iván Tona (Tijuana), Jackson Porozo (Tijuana), and Mourad El Ghezouani (Tijuana). The referee announced six minutes of stoppage time, during which both teams continued to push for a decisive goal. Monterrey’s Jesús Corona and Tijuana’s Unai Bilbao both had late chances, but neither side could find the breakthrough.

Substitutions played a key role in the flow of the game. Monterrey’s triple change at halftime—bringing on Medina, Orellano, and Ocampos—was a bold move that re-energized the squad. Later, Iker Fimbres replaced Óliver Torres, adding another attacking option as Monterrey chased the equalizer. For Tijuana, Domingo Blanco and Alejandro Gómez entered in the second half, providing fresh legs and helping to maintain the visitors’ defensive structure.

Statistically, the match was a showcase of attacking intent from both sides. Monterrey registered numerous attempts on goal, with Canales, Ocampos, and Orellano all testing Rodríguez. Tijuana, meanwhile, looked dangerous on the break, with Castañeda and Preciado leading the charge. The tactical battle in midfield was fierce, with fouls and turnovers keeping both coaches on their toes throughout the night.

As the dust settled on this thrilling encounter, both teams walked away with a point—a fair reflection of a contest that saw momentum swing back and forth. Monterrey’s fighting spirit and Tijuana’s clinical finishing made for compelling viewing, and fans will no doubt be marking their calendars for the return fixture later in the season.

For Monterrey, the draw keeps them in the hunt near the top of the Liga MX Clausura standings, while Tijuana will take heart from a strong away performance at one of the league’s toughest venues. With both squads showing flashes of brilliance and resilience, the race for playoff spots is shaping up to be as tight as ever.

Next up, both teams will look to build on this result as the Clausura campaign heats up. Monterrey will aim to convert draws into wins, while Tijuana will seek to turn solid performances into three points. With the season still young and everything to play for, supporters can expect plenty more drama as Liga MX 2025/26 unfolds.