The Tijuana Xolos hosted Necaxa at the Estadio Caliente for a game in the Liga MX 2025 Apertura this Sunday, August 31.

Club Tijuana was coming off a thrilling 3-3 draw against Chivas at home and had been undefeated in the last three games.

Manager Sebastian Abreu made just one change to the lineup that he used against Chivas. Domingo Blanco was back after serving a suspension and replaced Adonis Preciado in the starting 11.

Abreu implemented a very different gameplan in this match as opposed to that clash with Guadalajara. The Border City Dogs quickly took control of this game with an early red card to Necaxa’s Ricardo Monreal.

Monreal came in with a rough challenge on Tijuana’s young star Gilberto Mora and was rightfully sent off. Mora had some minor medical attention after the contact, but was good to play the rest of the match.

Una linda pinturita de Gil… 😍 Luego vino el poste… 🫣 Y al final, gol de Frank… 🔥

Acá la primera anotación de @Xolos ante #Necaxa. 📹#J7 #AP25 | #LaLigaDeLaAfición pic.twitter.com/mc5BAx3be5

— Liga BBVA MX (@LigaBBVAMX) September 1, 2025

Club Tijuana did not take full advantage of this man-advantage until towards the end of the first half. Gilberto Mora started the offensive charge and passed a perfect ball into Alan Vega inside of the penalty area. Vega smashed the ball to the post, but Franck Boya was able to get the goal on the rebound for a 1-0 lead in the 41st minute.

Fernando Gago was clearly still confident with his side as he made a very offensive change to begin the second half. The visiting manager replaced midfielder Diego de Buen with striker Tomas Badaloni.

This approach did not work out for Los Rayos as Franck Boya scored his second goal of the game in the 51st minute. Ramiro Arciga sent in a cross to Boya, who leaped and pulled off a perfect header to find the back of the net.

Qué bien que la tocó la Jauría… Y para cerrar la jugada de gran manera, contundente remate de Boya. 💥

Les compartimos el segundo gol de @Xolos ante #Necaxa. 📹#J7 #AP25 | #LaLigaDeLaAfición pic.twitter.com/DU3CuxdIbk

— Liga BBVA MX (@LigaBBVAMX) September 1, 2025

In the 57th minute, Necaxa lost another player to a red card as Diber Cambindo was given two consecutive yellow cards for arguing with the match official. Down to nine players, Xolos’ dominance was very evident and the visiting team was clearly far out of the game at this point.

In the 82nd minute, Adonis Preciado was fouled in the penalty area by Tomas Jacob and Club Tijuana was awarded a penalty kick. Preciado went up to take the penalty kick, seeking redemption from when he missed a kick against Chivas.

The Ecuadorian forward did not miss this time around and gave the Xoloitzcuintles a 3-0 lead. This was a big result for the Aztec Canines, who are now undefeated in four consecutive games.

Club Tijuana is now seventh on the Liga MX table and will face San Luis away from home in their next fixture on September 14.

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.