The Tijuana Xolos played Atlas at the Estadio Caliente for a game in the Liga MX 2024 Clasura this Sunday, March 9.

This was one of the last three home games left of the season, but there is not much to play for anymore, with playoff chances close to none.

Manager Juan Carlos Osorio made four changes to the lineup that was used against Leon away from home last week. Alan Vega, Jhojan Julio, Alejandro Gomez, and Aaron Mejia came into the mix for Rafael Fernandez, Ramiro Franco, Efrain Alvarez, and Shamar Nicholson.

The Xoloitzcuintles really controlled possession and the flow of the game in the first half, with 71 percent possession. The Border City Dogs also had two shots on target in the opening 45 minutes, while Atlas had none.

#Xolos host Atlas at the Estadio Caliente. Just three home games left this season.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/AZmVgcdLch

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) March 10, 2025

There was not much action in the first half, but the Aztec Canines managed to score in the 32nd minute. A well-constructed counter attack by Xolos ended with Raul Zuniga putting the ball in the back of the net. Aaron Mejia provided the assist on the scoring drive in what was an important goal in the half.

Aaron Mejia was arguably the best player in that first half for Club Tijuana with his assist and five defensive clearances. Centre-back Unai Bilbao was also vital in that first half, with seven clearances in the opening 45 minutes.

That forward momentum continued for the Xoloitzcuintles in the second half with two more unanswered goals. The goal came off another counter attack, with Jhojan Julio scoring his first-ever Liga MX goal.

Raul Zuniga made a quick transition, and Julio used his speed to burst into the penalty area and make it a 2-0 game. The third goal of the night for the border city team came via Alan Vega, who scored his second goal in Tijuana’s last three games.

Like the previous two goals, this goal also came on the counterattack as Club Tijuana was able to make a great transition  off a corner kick. A ball found Ivan Tona at the halfway point, and he made a run and passed the sphere to Vega, who scored via a cross-body shot from the left side of the box.

Atlas’ comeback began with a spectacular effort by Matheus Doria in the 60th minute. Gustavo del Prete crossed the ball off a corner kick and Doria was able to somehow scorpion kick the ball into the net. The visitors built some momentum off this goal as a goal by Eduardo Aguirre was disallowed in the 71st minute due to an offside ruling by VAR.

That decision would go on to have a massive impact on the match as Atlas cut the lead even more in the 81st minute. Unai Bilbao committed a foul on Matheus Doria inside the box, and a penalty was awarded for Los Zorros, along with a red card for the Spanish defender.

81′ Uros Durdevic scores from the penalty spot. #Xolos still lead 3-2 vs Atlas but it is close now.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/3E12iPy13c

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) March 10, 2025

Uros Durdevic stepped up to take the penalty and made it a 3-2 game in a game that really got out of hand for Xolos. The visiting side went on to tie the game in the 87th minute with a second goal by Durdevic.

Leonardo Flores crossed the ball into the box, and “Djuka” was able to get on the end of it for the game-tying goal. The striker from Montenegro was done just yet as he unbelievably scored a goal in stoppage time for the late-winner. Matias Coccaro crossed the sphere into the box, and Durdevic was perfectly positioned again to score the goal.

What Xolos did well offensively was completely the opposite on the defensive side of the pitch. The man-advantage for Atlas played a role, but the marking by the players on the pitch, like Jackson Porozo, was woeful.

Players visibly upset and fans jeering at Estadio Caliente after the tough loss for #Xolos.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/mOzlezGQVT

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) March 10, 2025

The loss was a heartbreaking one for the squad and fans at the Estadio Caliente after the euphoric start to the second half. Some players were on their knees and visibly distraught after the defeat, while fans across the Mictlan booed and jeered very loudly.

Juan Carlos Osorio was visibly upset in the post-game press conference as he started it by saying sorry to the fan base. The Colombian manager also said the loss was inexcusable and went on to blame himself for the decisions he made. “I’ve had my disappointments in soccer, but tonight I am very sad and I am responsible for everything, I rushed the substitutions”, said Osorio.

#Xolos‘ manager Juan Carlos Osorio starts the post-game press conference by saying sorry to the fans and saying the 4-3 loss is inexcusable.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/eghhpf7VAj

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) March 10, 2025

Aldieri Valenzuela made his professional debut in this match, and Osorio said bringing on the younger players was one of his mistakes in this defeat.

“I made a mistake in applying so much pressure to the young players”, said Osorio.

Santos Laguna pulled off a surprising victory against league-leaders Leon, and now, with this loss, Xolos is bottom of the Liga MX table. There are only six games left in the 2025 Clausura regular season and only two games left at home for Club Tijuana. Playoffs were almost impossible before this match and are certainly out of question after this defeat.

Francisco Velasco

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.