In the third round of Liga MX, Tijuana shone brightly at their home ground, Estadio Caliente, achieving a commanding 3-0 victory against Tigres. The match commenced with Kevin Castañeda finding the back of the net at 26 minutes into the first half, showcasing his skill and precision after a well-executed play. As the second half unfolded, Tijuana continued to dominate, with Mourad El Ghezouani doubling the lead just 9 minutes in with a powerful header. The final touch came from Gilberto Mora, who sealed the game at 25 minutes into the second half with another fine finish.
Kevin Castañeda exhilarated the crowd with his remarkable strike from outside the box, hitting the right post perfectly for his opening goal in the 26th minute. The forward not only scored but also had three attempts on goal, establishing himself as the standout player of the match.
Defensively, Rafael Fernández played a pivotal role, ensuring Tijuana’s backline was stable against the Tigres’ onslaught.
Coach Sebastián Abreu employed a solid 4-4-2 formation, starting Antonio Rodríguez in goal. The defensive line consisted of Rafael Fernández, Jackson Porozo, Unai Bilbao, and Jesús Vega. The midfield featured Ramiro Árciga, Iván Tona, Jesús Gómez, and Gilberto Mora, while Kevin Castañeda and Mourad El Ghezouani led the attack.
On the other side, Tigres, managed by Guido Pizarro, opted for a 4-5-1 formation with Nahuel Guzmán as the goalkeeper. The defense included Javier Aquino, Joaquim Pereira, Jesús Angulo, and Marco Farfan, while Diego Lainez, Fernando Gorriarán, Rômulo, Juan Brunetta, and Ozziel Herrera made up the midfield, leaving Ángel Correa in the forward position.
The officiating duties were handled by referee Vicente Reynoso Arce. With this victory, Tijuana has secured their place in the semifinals, while Tigres will need to regroup ahead of their upcoming rematch on Sunday, November 30.
Substitutions for Tijuana
62’ 2T – Kevin Castañeda out for Domingo Blanco
83’ 2T – Jesús Gómez out for Adonis Preciado
86’ 2T – Mourad El Ghezouani out for Ezequiel Bullaude
Yellow Cards in Tijuana:
3’ 2T Jackson Porozo (Unsportsmanlike conduct)
Substitutions for Tigres
58’ 2T – Jesús Angulo out for André-Pierre Gignac
77’ 2T – Ozziel Herrera out for Edgar López
Yellow Cards in Tigres:
7’ 1T Juan Brunetta (Unsportsmanlike conduct)
4’ 2T Jesús Angulo (Unsportsmanlike conduct)