After a two-month break, the 2026 Apertura season of the Liga MX kicked off to a thrilling injury-time finish. A clash between last season’s 7th- and 9th-placed sides, Tigres UANL and Club Tijuana, the opening match at the Estadio Caliente was a chance to start the season strong and secure an advantage in the standings.
Club Tijuana came into the new season after just failing to make the Liguilla in last year’s Clausura tournament. The Xolos have retained their faith in manager Sebastian Abreu for his third straight tournament.
Tigres arrived for the game under the guidance of manager Guido Pizarro. The team’s winless streak on the road continued as they lost 3-1 to Tijuana. The Monterrey-based club has not won a game away from home since their dominant display over Club America in the eighth round of the Clausura tournament, where they came out on top by a comfortable scoreline of 4-1.
The Fortress at Tijuana Stands Firm
With the 3-1 win over Tigres, Tijuana has made it a hat trick of victories over the visitors. The game started with a few offside calls and close misses for both teams. Around the 16th minute, Tijuana was dealt a blow through a muscle injury to Uruguayan midfielder Ignacio Rivero, who was replaced by Ángel Zapata.
The Xolos kept the pressure up and, egged on by the home fans, drew first blood through Ramiro Árciga, who scored in the 32nd minute from a pass from debutant 20-year-old winger Yael Padilla.
The home team held the advantage going into the break and was further helped through Rodrigo Aguirre’s straight red card in the stoppage time of the first half. Aguirre was involved in a verbal confrontation with Tijuana players and was given the marching orders after he covered his mouth and looked to say something unruly against his opponent.
The Tijuana players collectively ran to the referee and asked him for a VAR review, which subsequently confirmed Aguirre’s offense. The rule, unofficially known as the Prestianni Law, again came to the limelight after the recent focus on the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
Short-lived Reprieve for the Tigres
Tigres started the second half a man short, but took the fight to the home team, equalizing in the 56th minute through a goal from Ozziel Herrera, the 77th-numbered striker, set up by central defender Joaquim Henrique. With the scores tied 1-1, the late parts of the second half were filled with frequent goal-scoring opportunities and flare-ups to go along with it.
The Xolos made their fourth change by the 65th minute with the debutant Padilla, who assisted the first goal taken off, and Diego Abreu, making way for Mourad El Ghezouani, who would turn out to be the match winner.
The referee had quite a busy day, giving out cards, with four coming in the 69th minute. As the game progressed to the 90-minute mark, Tigres looked to have stolen a precious point from the Xolos, with Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman booked for time wasting, trying to hold on to the stalemate.
El Ghezouani, the Right Striker, the Right Place
With a 7+ stoppage time given, the home team intensified its push for that elusive winner. As time wound down, Tigres left back Fernando Ordóñez found himself finding it difficult to contain Tijuana’s number 7 Ecuadorian winger Adonis Preciado and brought him down in the penalty box.
Substitute striker El Ghezouani made no mistake as he stepped up to take the ensuing penalty kick against Guzman, who jumped to the correct side but could do nothing as the striker placed the ball into the very corner of the goal.
Two minutes later, the wounded Tigres were handed their knockout blow when a backpass from a Tigres defender was deflected off the boot of El Ghezouani, who was closing down the defender in the attacking half of the field. The striker had a stroke of luck as his lob went over the goalkeeper, who was in a more advanced position off his goalpost.
What’s Next?
Tigres UANL now faces San Luis at home on the 24th of July, while Club Tijuana hosts Leon on the same day.
