In a surprising turn of events, Tijuana, the bottom-dwelling team of the Liga MX Clausura 2025, managed to pull off a stunning upset against Monterrey, defeating them 2-1 at Estadio BBVA on Saturday night. The match, which kicked off at 11:15 PM, showcased Tijuana's resilience as they capitalized on Monterrey's defensive lapses and missed opportunities.
Raúl Zúñiga opened the scoring for Tijuana in the 19th minute, taking advantage of a defensive error by Monterrey. A precise pass from Kevin Castañeda found Zúñiga, who made a swift run into the box and finished with a right-footed shot that beat Monterrey's goalkeeper. This early strike put the pressure on the home team, who were expected to dominate the match.
However, Monterrey responded quickly, leveling the score just five minutes later. After Lucas Ocampos was fouled in the area by Tijuana's Rafael Fernández, referee Luis Enrique Santander Aguirre awarded a penalty kick. Sergio Canales stepped up and converted the spot kick with confidence, bringing the score to 1-1.
The first half ended with both teams locked in a tense battle, but the second half saw Monterrey struggle to find the back of the net despite several clear chances. Germán Berterame was particularly wasteful, missing at least three golden opportunities to put Monterrey ahead. The Argentine forward's inability to convert chances would prove costly for the home side.
As the match approached its final minutes, Tijuana struck again. In the 84th minute, Gilberto Mora scored the decisive goal, capitalizing on a chaotic situation in the Monterrey box after a corner kick. A series of deflections left Mora open, and he slotted the ball home with a left-footed shot, sealing a memorable victory for the Xolos.
This win was monumental for Tijuana, who jumped from last place to 15th in the standings, now with three wins, one draw, and nine losses, totaling 10 points. In contrast, Monterrey's defeat left them ninth in the league with 19 points, raising serious questions about their form and the future of their coach, Martín Demichelis.
After being eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup earlier this season, this latest setback has put Demichelis's position under scrutiny. Fans expressed their frustration as Monterrey failed to capitalize on their home advantage against a team that had struggled all season.
Meanwhile, the victory was a significant morale booster for Tijuana, who had been desperately seeking a turnaround in their season. Head coach's tactical approach paid off as the Xolos managed to defend well and exploit Monterrey's vulnerabilities effectively.
The match statistics revealed Monterrey's dominance in possession, but it was Tijuana's efficiency that made the difference. While Monterrey had numerous chances, they failed to convert them into goals, highlighting a critical area for improvement as they look ahead to their next matches.
As the Liga MX season progresses, the pressure mounts for Monterrey to regroup and find their form. The upcoming fixtures will be crucial for the team to avoid slipping further down the table and to restore confidence among their supporters.
In other Liga MX action, América continued their strong form, defeating Tigres UANL 3-0, with Brian Rodríguez scoring twice. This victory solidified América’s position at the top of the table, now boasting 30 points, while Toluca follows closely behind with 27 points.
As for Monterrey, they will need to address their defensive issues and improve their finishing if they hope to compete for a playoff spot. The team’s next match will be critical in determining whether they can bounce back from this disappointing loss.
In conclusion, Tijuana's victory over Monterrey serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football, where even the underdogs can rise to the occasion and claim victory against the odds. Fans will be eager to see how Monterrey responds in their upcoming matches as they aim to regain their footing in the league.
