Puebla's victory over Tijuana was marked by decisive play and strategic execution at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc during the Jornada 8 match of the Clausura 2025 league season. The home team showed resilience and skill, clinching the game with a final score of 2-0.
The match kicked off at 21:00 on February 21, 2025, with both teams entering the field under pressure. Puebla, managed by Pablo Guede, aimed to break from their own struggles after previously losing to Atlas, which left them with only one win out of seven matches, albeit against the weakest team of the tournament, Santos Laguna. Meanwhile, Tijuana, under Juan Carlos Osorio, was desperate to end their four-game losing streak. Both teams were situated at the lower end of the league table, creating high stakes for the match.
The first half began slowly, with neither team able to find clear chances. At the 27th minute, the game turned when Aarón Mejía of Tijuana committed a foul within the box, leading to a penalty awarded to Puebla. Emiliano Gómez took the shot and successfully placed it past the Tijuana goalkeeper, Miguel Ortega, putting Puebla up 1-0.
Fans erupted as Puebla took the lead, with celebrations reflecting their relief and excitement. A tweet from Liga BBVA MX highlighted the moment: "Emiliano Gómez ejecuta a la izquierda de la portería y pone el 1-0 para el Puebla." After this goal, Tijuana pushed to regain their footing, yet it was clear they struggled with offensive execution. Though Domingo Blanco came close to leveling the score with a shot over the crossbar during the second half, the momentum seemed to slip from their grasp.
Meanwhile, Puebla maintained solid control of the game. Goalkeeper Miguel Jiménez made several key saves, ensuring the score remained intact as Tijuana attempted to pull level. The flexibility of Puebla’s game plan shone through as they switched from defense to attack fluidly.
By the 82nd minute, Puebla struck again. Brayan Angulo found space down the left and delivered a perfect cross to Ricardo Marín, who made no mistake putting the ball away for his third goal of the season, widening the score to 2-0. This sequence was celebrated by fans and reflected what Liga BBVA MX noted: "GOOOOOOL DEL PUEBLA! 82'' Gran jugada colectiva de La Franja que Ricardo Marín manda al fondo de las redes."
This result marked Puebla's second victory of the season, boosting their points to eight and moving them to 11th place on the table. Tijuana, on the flip side, faced the harsh reality of extending their winless streak to five games, leaving them languishing with only four points from 24 contested.
The defeat raises questions about Osorio's position within the team, as there is growing speculation about his future following such poor performances. It’s pertinent to evaluate if the management will continue with him or look for alternatives as the season progresses.
Looking to the future, Puebla is set to face Pachuca at the Estadio Hidalgo midweek, with hopes of continuing their momentum. Tijuana will host Pumas at the Estadio Caliente, where they desperately seek to recover and notch their second victory of the season.
The match not only showcased the struggles of both teams but also emphasized the importance of maintaining composure under pressure. For Puebla, this win could be the spark they need for improvement, and for Tijuana, it's time to regroup and reflect before their next game.