The Tijuana Xolos visited Necaxa for a game in the Liga MX Clausura 2026 season this Friday, March 20.

The Xoloitzcuintles were coming off a surprising 3-0 away win against Club Leon, but were unable to capitalize on that positive momentum for this match.

Shockingly, the Border City Dogs have earned more points on the road than at home this season, which has been a massive contributing factor to Tijuana’s struggles.

Manager Sebastian Abreu only made one change to the starting 11 that was able to achieve that victory at Leon. Jackson Porozo came back into the lineup after serving a one-match ban and replaced Franck Boya. Alex Gomez played as a defender against Leon, but was put into the midfield in place of Boya in this match as Porozo came back into the backline.

Necaxa really took command of the first half of play with 62-percent possession and nine shots to Xolos’ three. Los Rayos seemed like the better team on the pitch and scored the first goal of the game in the 35th minute.

Agustin Oliveros sent in a cross into the penalty area that found Ricardo Monreal. Monreal headed the sphere, and his strike hit the crossbar, but Javier Ruiz was there on the rebound to score.

¡El @ClubNecaxa es un RAYO y no se apaga! ⚡🎶

Y vaya rayo que salió del botín de Javier Ruiz para el primer GOL de la noche. 😤💥#ConMéxicoC26 | #J12 | #NECTIJ pic.twitter.com/CTRphtNrIK

— Liga BBVA MX (@LigaBBVAMX) March 21, 2026

Club Tijuana fought more for the ball in the second half, but the offensive struggles translated into that half of play as well. Necaxa kept on pressing and eventually scored their second goal of the match in the 56th minute.

Javier Ruiz made an impressive run from about 20 yards out and struck the ball on the edge of the penalty area with force into the back of the net in between three of Xolos’ defenders.

Electrizante disparo del @ClubNecaxa. ⚡⚡

Javier Ruiz salió en su noche y así volvió a anotar para duplicar la ventaja de los Rayos. ⚽#ConMéxicoC26 | #J12 | #NECTIJ pic.twitter.com/xkpb3q0KQ9

— Liga BBVA MX (@LigaBBVAMX) March 21, 2026

Necaxa’s third goal of the game came in the 75th minute as Tomas Badaloni extended the lead. Ricardo Monreal crossed the ball into the box, and Badaloni was there to head the ball past Tijuana’s net.

¡Y cayó el tercero del @ClubNecaxa! 3️⃣⚡

Tremendo centro de Ricardo Monreal y MARTILLAZO de Badaloni para sacudir las redes. 🔨💥pic.twitter.com/V42GbEAD2F

— Liga BBVA MX (@LigaBBVAMX) March 21, 2026

Domingo Blanco, Adonis Preciado, and Mourad El Ghezouani all came on for Club Tijuana in the second half. However, no substitute was really able to make much of an impact on the pitch.

No offensive player was really able to do much in this match for the Border City Dogs in what was a very weak showing by the attack.

This was a tough loss after that huge away win at Leo,n and now the Xoloitzcuintles will try and get back on track at home. The Aztec Canines will have a very tough task, hosting Tigres UANL at the Estadio Caliente on April 3.

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.