Tijuana Xolos Copa MX 2019 CL Recap: Club Tijuana Beats Pachuca, Secure Spot In Knockout Stage

Tijuana, Mexico

The Tijuana Xolos played their last game in the Copa MX group stage this Tuesday, Feb. 19, at the Estadio Caliente against Pachuca. The Aztec Canines were going into a must-win game and handled the challenge as they defeated Los Tuzos 2-1.

The first half did not have much excitement on the pitch in it, but the over 20 thousand fans that filled the border city fortress kept the atmosphere vibrant. The Xoloitzcuintles opened the scoring in the first minute of the clash as a penalty was awarded to the Border City Dogs after Efrain Orona took down Miller Bolanos in the penalty area.

Gustavo Bou executed the penalty perfectly and gave Club Tijuana the 1-0 lead that would last for most of the half. Pachuca was awarded a penalty of its own and Leonardo Ulloa tied the game for the visitors in the 44^th minute.

The second half began with a much quicker tempo to it as both teams seemed invested in the encounter. Young striker Daniel Lopez was subbed out to begin the half for Ariel Nahuelpan and that made an immediate impact in the clash.

Nahuelpan was very involved in the attack and played a role in the Border City Dogs’ second goal of the game. The Argentine striker struck a potent shot off a free kick in the 51^st minute and centre-back Diego Braghieri was there to push the ball in the back of the net to give the Xoloitzcuintles a 2-1 lead.

Oscar Pareja’s team was able to hang onto that lead until the final whistle as the Colombian manager made some adjustments to ensure the victory. First, midfielder Luis Chavez came on for midfielder Gustavo Bou in the 75^th minute and then centre-back Julian Velazquez replaced Miller Bolanos in the 82^nd minute.

The Xolos locked down the game and secured the three points to finish first in Group 1 of the Copa MX with seven points. The border city team is now in the knockout stage of the competition, currently as the seventh seed awaiting a rival for the round of 16.

Here's a recap of our win vs. tuzos in CopaMX #GoXolos pic.twitter.com/lWrC68YBl3

— Xolos (@xolos_en) February 20, 2019

Xolos Lineup: Carlos Higuera, Omar Mendoza, Luis Martinez, Diego Braghieri, Luis Fuentes, Kevin Balanta, Diego Gonzalez, Jesus Angulo, Gustavo Bou (75’ Luis Chavez), Miller Bolanos (82’ Julian Velazquez), Daniel Lopez (45’ Ariel Nahuelpan)

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.