The Estadio Caliente in Tijuana was buzzing with anticipation as Club Tijuana, better known as the Xolos, hosted Puebla for the fifth matchday of the Liga MX Clausura 2026. Both teams arrived at this pivotal encounter with plenty on the line—Tijuana aiming to maintain their unbeaten streak, while Puebla sought much-needed points to climb out of the lower ranks of the table. Yet, after more than 90 minutes of determined play, neither side could break the deadlock, with the scoreboard frozen at 0-0.
From the outset, the Xolos looked to assert themselves in front of their home crowd. With over 25,000 fans in attendance at Estadio Caliente, and some sources noting the stadium's full capacity at 33,333, the atmosphere was electric. The stakes were clear: Tijuana, under the guidance of Uruguayan coach Sebastián Washington Abreu, entered the night as one of the few unbeaten teams in the tournament, positioned 8th in the standings with 6 points—one win and three draws. Puebla, meanwhile, sat in 14th place, having collected just 4 points from a single win, one draw, and two defeats. The visitors knew that another loss could spell trouble in the battle for postseason qualification.
Despite the urgency, both teams struggled to convert opportunities into goals. The match, which kicked off at 21:00 Central Mexico Time on February 6, 2026, was officiated by referee Karen Hernández Andrade. Fans in Mexico had to rely on streaming platforms such as FOX One and FOX+ to follow the action, as no television broadcast was available domestically. In the United States, the game was shown on TUDN, ensuring supporters on both sides of the border could keep up with the drama as it unfolded.
Club Tijuana’s usual spark in midfield was noticeably absent, with star Mexican midfielder Gilberto Mora sidelined due to injury. Mora, a player with aspirations for the 2026 World Cup with the national team, was given a period of rest to ensure a full recovery. His absence was felt, as Tijuana looked for someone to orchestrate play and unlock the Puebla defense. Coach Abreu has placed much faith in Mora’s development, and the hope among fans is that his return will help Xolos push for a spot in the Liguilla—the coveted postseason phase of Liga MX.
As the minutes ticked by, both teams had their moments. Tijuana pressed forward, with Kevin Castañeda and Adonis Preciado both trying their luck from distance, but Puebla’s defense held firm. The visitors, on the other hand, saw Edgar Guerra and Ángelo Araos test Tijuana’s goalkeeper, but neither side could find the finishing touch. The match was punctuated by a series of fouls and tactical substitutions as both coaches searched for the right formula. Tijuana’s Alan Vega and Alejandro Gómez came off the bench, while Puebla introduced Miguel Ramírez, Ignacio Maestro Puch, and Ángelo Araos to inject fresh legs into the contest.
Yellow cards were handed out for dangerous play—Alonso Ramírez of Puebla and Kevin Castañeda of Tijuana both found themselves in the referee’s book. The physical nature of the match was evident throughout, with multiple stoppages for injuries and a flurry of corners for both teams. The fourth official signaled four minutes of added time, and the tension in the stadium was palpable. Still, neither team could find a breakthrough, and after six minutes of stoppage time, the referee’s final whistle confirmed the stalemate.
“It’s clear we need to be more clinical in front of goal,” said a member of the Xolos coaching staff after the match, echoing the sentiments of many fans. The Xolos have now played five matches in the Clausura 2026 without tasting defeat, but with four draws and only one victory, there’s a growing sense that the team must start turning these single points into three if they are to realize their postseason ambitions. The absence of Gilberto Mora continues to loom large, and all eyes will be on his recovery in the coming weeks.
For Puebla, the result is a minor boost. Avoiding defeat on the road, especially against a team with a strong home record, can be seen as a step in the right direction as they look to move away from the lower reaches of the table. Their defense showed resilience, absorbing pressure and keeping a clean sheet despite Tijuana’s efforts to break them down. “We’re showing improvement, and every point matters,” noted a Puebla staff member, highlighting the team’s determination to climb the standings.
The match also featured some notable individual performances. Tijuana’s Unai Bilbao was a rock at the back, frequently repelling Puebla’s advances and even receiving treatment for a knock late in the game. Puebla’s Kevin Velasco and Carlos Baltazar were industrious in midfield, while goalkeeper Antonio Rodríguez for Tijuana and Puebla’s shot-stopper were both called into action to deny clear chances.
With the draw, Tijuana remains unbeaten but finds itself at a crossroads. The team’s defensive solidity is undeniable, but the lack of goals is a growing concern. Fans are hopeful that once Gilberto Mora returns, the Xolos will have the creative spark needed to turn these tight contests into victories. Coach Abreu, who has been guiding the team through this transitional phase, will be under pressure to find solutions as the tournament progresses.
Puebla, meanwhile, will take heart from a disciplined performance away from home. While their position in the table remains precarious, the point earned in Tijuana could prove valuable as the season unfolds. The team’s focus will be on building momentum and securing wins in the coming fixtures to keep their postseason hopes alive.
As Jornada 5 comes to a close, both teams are left with plenty to ponder. The Xolos, still unbeaten, must rediscover their winning touch, while Puebla continues its quest to climb the standings. With the season still young, there’s everything to play for in the Clausura 2026—and fans can expect more twists and turns as the race for the Liguilla heats up.