The Tijuana Xolos played Leon at the Estadio Caliente this Friday, August 30, for a game in the Liga MX 2024 Apertura.

Club Tijuana was coming into the game on a two-game undefeated streak and off a 2-2 draw against Monterrey.

This was the Border City Dogs’ third consecutive home game in what was a very successful home stand for the Aztec Canines. Juan Carlos Osorio made his usual changes to the lineup but surprisingly decided to start 15-year-old midfielder, Gilberto Mora. Mora was previously the third youngest player to debut in Liga MX history and became the youngest player to ever start a Liga MX game.

The Xoloitzcuintles were clearly the better team on the pitch in the first half, with 76 percent possession throughout it. A defining moment in the game came in the 18th minute when Leon’s Luciano Cabral received a red card for a harsh foul on Xolos’ Aaron Mejia.

The home team took immediate advantage of the booking and scored in the 21st minute via a goal by team captain Christian Rivera. The goal was the result of a very well-constructed play by the Aztec Canines, with Efrain Alvarez assisting Rivera.

While Xolos were playing better and had the man-advantage, Leon managed to tie the game in the 44th minute with a goal by Ivan Moreno. Moreno fired a shot from outside of the penalty box in front of a nonchalant Tijuana backline on the scoring play.

The result was a disappointing one at the half, but Club Tijuana still had the numerical advantage and were the better team. Juan Carlos Osorio made some changes at the start of the second half, bringing on Kevin Balanta and Carlos Gonzalez for Diego Barbosa and Rafael Fernandez. The Xoloitzcuintles had a much more aggressive approach going forward and were desperately looking for the next goal.

That goal finally came in the 65th minute when 15-year-old Gilberto Mora made history and scored his first-ever Liga MX goal. Jaime Alvarez sent in a cross that was deflected by a Leon defender, and the sphere landed right to Mora. The teenager fired a shot from inside of the penalty area and scored that historic goal.

Gilberto Mora has scored his first Liga MX goal at just 15 YEARS OLD.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/t0kiA6MATq

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) August 31, 2024

Mora became the youngest player to ever score in a Liga MX game and propelled Club Tijuana to victory with that goal. Team captain Christian Rivera talked about Mora after the match, “That kid is a star. Like the coach says, he is surrounded by good people. We try to make him feel like we have his back. I hope he will continue to make noise.”

The second half was more of a battle than what appeared on paper with Leon looking dangerous on the attack, despite the clear disadvantage. However, the Border City Dogs were able to hang onto the result and continue undefeated at the Estadio Caliente this season.

There will be an international break that, unfortunately, halts Xolos’ massive momentum gained in the recent three-game home stand. Club Tijuana’s next game will be in Toluca on September 14, and then the Aztec Canines will face Pumas in Mexico City on September 22. Tijuana’s next home game will be on September 27 against Mazatlan to try and keep this undefeated run at the Mictlan.

Francisco Velasco

Francisco, 26, 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 Loyal, San Diego Wave.