In a stunning turn of events at the Estadio BBVA, Rayados del Monterrey fell to the last-placed Xolos de Tijuana 2-1 on March 29, 2025. The defeat raised serious questions about the future of head coach Martín Demichelis, as his squad struggled to find their footing against a determined Tijuana side. The match, part of the 13th round of the Clausura MX tournament, showcased the resilience of the visitors, who capitalized on Monterrey's defensive lapses.
Tijuana struck first in the 19th minute when Raúl Zúñiga found the back of the net. A well-placed pass from Kevin Castañeda allowed Zúñiga to unleash a powerful shot from the center of the area, beating Monterrey goalkeeper Luis Cárdenas. The young forward's strike was a testament to his growing confidence, marking his seventh goal of the season and continuing a streak of three consecutive matches with a goal.
But Monterrey quickly responded just two minutes later. Lucas Ocampos was fouled in the penalty area by Tijuana's Rafael Fernández, prompting referee Luis Enrique Santander to award a penalty kick. Sergio Canales stepped up to take the shot, displaying composure as he slotted the ball into the corner of the net, leveling the score at 1-1. This marked Canales' sixth goal of the tournament, adding to his impressive tally of six assists.
As the match progressed, both teams battled fiercely, with the physicality of the game leading to numerous fouls and interruptions. Monterrey, eager to take the lead, made several tactical changes in an attempt to gain an advantage. Demichelis substituted Jorge Rodríguez for Jesús Corona in the 40th minute and brought in Nelson Deossa for Óliver Torres shortly after halftime.
Despite dominating possession, Monterrey struggled to convert their chances. Germán Berterame, who had several opportunities to score, found himself thwarted by Tijuana's defense and missed a crucial shot in the 63rd minute that could have put his team ahead. The mounting pressure on Rayados became palpable as frustration set in among players and fans alike.
In a dramatic twist, it was Tijuana who would find the decisive goal. In the 83rd minute, young Gilberto Mora, just 16 years old, scored the winning goal for Tijuana. Mora capitalized on a defensive error from Monterrey, firing a left-footed shot from the center of the area that nestled into the bottom left corner of the net. The goal sent the visiting fans into a frenzy while leaving Monterrey supporters in disbelief.
As the match entered the final minutes, Monterrey pushed for an equalizer, but their efforts were met with staunch resistance from Tijuana. In the 88th minute, Frank Boya received a yellow card for a foul, further complicating Monterrey's attempts to regain control. The match was extended by eight minutes, but despite their best efforts, Monterrey could not find the back of the net.
In added time, Ricardo Chávez came close to scoring with a header from a corner, but his attempt went wide, sealing a disappointing night for Rayados. The final whistle confirmed Tijuana's victory, a result that left Monterrey fans booing their team off the pitch.
With this loss, Monterrey remains with 19 points, struggling to keep their playoff hopes alive. Meanwhile, Tijuana's victory propelled them to 10 points, moving them off the bottom of the table but still in a precarious position. The defeat has raised alarm bells for Monterrey, as they prepare to face Chivas Rayadas del Guadalajara in their next match, a crucial encounter for their aspirations in the league.
Demichelis faces mounting pressure to turn the team's fortunes around, as the loss to Tijuana, a team struggling at the bottom of the standings, has left fans questioning the direction of the club. The upcoming match against Guadalajara will be pivotal, as the team looks to regain its confidence and secure a vital win.
