Xolos de Tijuana staged an impressive comeback by defeating Pumas UNAM 4-2 during the Jornada 9 of the Liga MX Clausura 2025 season at Estadio Caliente, leaving both teams with contrasting fortunes.
The match marked the swift resurgence of the Xolos, who found themselves desperate for points following their poor streak of form leading up to this game. Pumas, on the other hand, were equally under pressure, recovering from the blows inflicted by their defeats, including last week’s devastating loss to Club América.
Xolos seized the initiative right from the kick-off. Just under one minute in, midfielder Kevin Castañeda scored the opening goal, demonstrating their eagerness to take control. Castañeda executed a deft finish, nudging the ball delicately over goalkeeper Alex Padilla's reach, setting the tone for the home side.
Following this early breakthrough, Xolos continued to apply relentless pressure. Only three minutes later, Efraín Álvarez capitalized on Pumas' defensive disarray to net the second goal. Seeing Padilla poorly positioned, Álvarez unleashed a shot from the right flank, catching the keeper off guard and finding the net with ease.
The first half showcased Pumas’ nightmares, culminating when Xolos would find their third goal courtesy of Jamaican forward Shamar Nicholson before halftime. Nicholson elegantly lobbed the ball over Padilla’s head, leaving the Pumas limping well behind, watched by jubilant fans.
After the break, Xolos showed no signs of letting up, adding to their tally just two minutes after kicking off the second half. Alan Vega netted with sheer power from the edge of the box, marking the team’s fourth goal of the match. This solid lead placed Pumas firmly on the back foot.
The second half still saw Pumas trying to find their footing. Eventually, they managed to pull one back through Ignacio Pussetto, who was well positioned at the right moment to score the team's first goal, slightly lifting their spirits, though the match was far from secure.
With time running out and urgency increasing, Santiago Trigos rounded off the scoring with another goal for Pumas, albeit too little too late. His header brought some consolation but failed to alter the outcome for the struggling visitors.
Post-match analysis left little doubt about the shifting dynamics; following this victory, Xolos snagged seven points to lift them off the bottom of the standings, providing renewed hope under coach Juan Carlos Osorio. Meanwhile, Pumas, once full of promise, slipped to eleventh place with eleven points, facing another challenging week ahead as they prepared to host Guadalajara for their next fixture.
Fans of Xolos celebrated this much-needed turnaround with the closure of one chapter, only to look forward to their next significant challenge against league leaders León. Meanwhile, Pumas are left to ponder their waning fortunes as they return to the drawing board, hoping to reclaim the form which once put them among the title contenders.