TAMPICO, TAMAULIPAS.- The first chapter of the quarterfinals between Jaiba Brava and Celaya kicked off last night at the Tamaulipas Stadium, with the match scheduled for 21:05 hours as part of the Clausura 2025 league of the Expansion League. After 15 exciting rounds of regular tournament play, the stage was set for a thrilling knockout encounter, with both teams vying for a coveted spot in the semifinals.
Jaiba Brava finished the regular season in fifth place, boasting a record of seven wins, three draws, and four losses. Their opponents, Celaya, secured a slightly better position, finishing fourth with seven wins, four draws, and three losses. This matchup promised to be a closely contested battle, and the statistics backed it up.
Leading the charge for Celaya is their top scorer, Martín Barragán, who netted an impressive eight goals during the tournament. Following closely is Carlos Baltazar, contributing six goals to the team's efforts. On the other side, Jaiba Brava's best scorer was Edu Pérez, who found the net four times throughout the competition. With both teams having comparable strengths, the anticipation for this match was palpable.
Marco Antonio “El Chima” Ruiz, head coach of Jaiba Brava, expressed confidence in his team's ability to leverage their home advantage. "We aim to secure a comfortable lead here at home and extend our unbeaten streak to nine games," he stated, emphasizing the importance of the match.
The excitement was palpable at the Tamaulipas Stadium as fans flocked to witness the first leg of this crucial encounter. The match was broadcast live on Claro Sports, allowing fans to engage with the action from anywhere.
As the match unfolded, it became clear that both teams were prepared to leave everything on the pitch. The first half saw a frenetic pace, with opportunities arising for both sides. However, it was a moment of controversy that marked the 31st minute when Celaya’s captain, Daniel Cervantes, received a red card for a reckless challenge on Jaiba Brava's goalkeeper, Gerardo “Kampa” Ruiz. The decision left Celaya with a significant disadvantage, forcing them to play with ten men for the remainder of the match.
Despite being a man down, Celaya managed to hold their ground, but the tide began to turn as Jaiba Brava pushed forward in search of the opening goal. The home side's persistence paid off in the 67th minute when Edu Pérez delivered a pinpoint assist to Danilo Santacruz, who had just come off the bench. Santacruz skillfully finished the move, giving Jaiba Brava a crucial 1-0 lead.
In the moments that followed, Jaiba Brava continued to press for a second goal, with Néstor Corona coming close to extending the lead in the 79th minute. However, his effort was thwarted by Celaya’s goalkeeper, Humberto Hernández, who made a crucial save, keeping the scoreline narrow.
Ultimately, the match concluded with Jaiba Brava taking a slim 1-0 advantage into the second leg of the quarterfinals, set to take place on Saturday at the Estadio Miguel Alemán. The victory marked a successful return to the Liguilla for Jaiba Brava after three and a half years, and the team will be looking to build on this momentum.
With a thrilling atmosphere and a closely contested match, the stage is set for an exhilarating return leg as both teams prepare to battle for a place in the semifinals of the Liga de Expansión MX. Jaiba Brava, riding high on their recent form, will aim to maintain their unbeaten streak and secure their spot, while Celaya will need to regroup and strategize to overturn the deficit.
More than 10,000 passionate fans witnessed the encounter, showcasing the vibrant support for local football. The upcoming second leg promises to be just as exciting, as both sides are determined to advance in the tournament.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the next matchup, where the stakes are higher than ever. Will Jaiba Brava capitalize on their home advantage, or will Celaya find a way to bounce back and turn the tie in their favor? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the excitement of the Liga de Expansión MX is far from over.
