Credit: Jeremy Collins(XoloGuero)/EVT Sports
The Tijuana Xolos played the first leg of a 2025 Apertura quarterfinals match against Tigres UANL this Wednesday, November 26.
The Border City Dogs finished eighth place on the Liga MX table and were heavy underdogs against Tigres, who finished in second place.
Club Tijuana was coming off a significant 3-1 win against FC Juarez in the play-in round of the postseason. Before this result, the Xoloitzcuintles only had one win from six games played.
Action packed game last night.
Great match @Xolos @EVT_News @FranciscoEfV @LigaBBVAMX pic.twitter.com/FVv0z6UTDU
— XoloGuero (@XoloGuero) November 27, 2025
However, since then, the team has made a massive shift, now on a three-game winning streak after the result in this quarterfinal match.
Xolos’ manager Sebastian Abreu only made one change to his starting 11 from the game against Juarez to the game against Tigres. Defender Jackson Porozo replaced winger Domingo Blanco in the lineup.
This was due to the shift in game plan against Tigres, as the away team was expected to control possession. Tigres did just that and controlled the sphere heavily throughout the match.
However, the away team really struggled offensively with just one shot on target in the first half. Club Tijuana had two shots on target in the first half, and one of those shots connected for the first goal of the match in the 27th minute.
Kevin Castaneda struck a shot from over 20 yards out that cradled its way into the back of the net for the vital 1-0 lead.
It was a very frustrating first half for the visitor, and that frustration grew as the game went on. Kevin Castaneda was crucial in the second goal of the night as he assisted Mourad El Ghezouani. The Moroccan striker headed the ball past Nahuel Guzman off the corner kick by Castaneda.
Tigres’ desperation grew after that goal as striker Andre-Pierre Gignac was brought on for defender Jesus Angulo in the 59th mi
Gilberto Mora celebrating his goal that put #Xolos up 3-0 against Tigres UANL.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/FBKHSPrQcn
— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) November 27, 2025
nute. That change proved to be highly ineffective as the French forward finished the game with no shots on target.
Tigres continued to be ineffective offensively, and Club Tijuana scored the third goal of the night in the 71st minute. Domingo Blanco pulled off a magnificent individual play on the left wing and found Gilberto Mora inside the box. The 17-year-old player finished the opportunity perfectly in the penalty area to put the game away.
Tigres kept on pushing in the late stages of the game to try and get something on the aggregate. However, all attempts failed, and goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez came up big in the final minutes with some key saves.
Sebastian Abreu was clearly very content with the final result and described the game as “perfect”. Abreu also expressed concern for the return leg and showed plenty of respect for the rival.
The series is far from over as Tigres UANL is formidable at home and will be highly motivated to come back on the result.
This was a highly unexpected and incredible result for Club Tijuana. Now the team will likely go with a conservative approach away from home in the return fixture.
Francisco, 28, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego FC, San Diego Wave. I have covered Liga MX, MLS, Mexico National Team, USWNT, Copa América and European clubs like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.
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