The Tijuana Xolos hosted Cruz Azul at the Estadio Caliente for a match in the Liga MX 2025 Clausura season.

Juan Carlos Osorio decided to make some bold changes as he started the match without a traditional striker, with Domingo Blanco, Efrain Alvarez, and Kevin Castaneda in the frontline.

The Colombian manager also started the game with six players that play as centre-backs in their primary position.

Club Tijuana was headed into this game off a 4-0 loss against Tigres UANL, and the momentum stayed similar after a loss in this match.

Much like the previous match against Tigres, the Border City Dogs gave up an early goal that would set the tone for the first half. In the fifth minute of the match, Luka Romero scored his first-ever Liga MX goal in what was a beautifully constructed attacking drive by the visitors.

Giorgios Giakoumakis perfectly set up Romero, who very easily was able to shoot inside of the box to get the goal. After the goal, the Xoloitzcuintles were able to be more competitive and had some dangerous attacking plays, but it all lead to nothing.

In the 33rd minute, Giakoumakis extended the lead for La Maquina with a goal off a shot from inside of the penalty area. The goal came off a rebound after Jose de Jesus Corona blocked a shot by Carlos Rotondi.

After that second goal, the match became much less competitive, and Cruz Azul was able to take major control of the encounter. Towards the end of the first half, the visitors were awarded a penalty after a handball by Jackson Porozo inside of the box. This was Porozo’s first game with Xolos, and he could not have had the worst possible start to his tenure at the Border City club.

Carlos Rotondi stepped up to take the penalty and was able to score to make it a 3-0 game before the end of the half. There were moments of competitiveness in the opening 45 minutes that quickly faded away and became full dominance for Cruz Azul.

Carlos Rotondi scores from the penalty spot near the end of the first half. Cruz Azul now leads 3-0. Penalty was awarded due to handball by Jackson Porozo.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/XtT6vXm8EJ

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) February 1, 2025

At the start of the second half, Juan Carlos Osorio made some changes as Joe Corona, Raul Zuniga, Fernando Madrigal, and Ivan Tona came on for Domingo Blanco, Ramiro Franco, Kevin Castaneda, and Francisco Contreras.

The substitutions ended up making a significant impact in the game as Xolos were close to a comeback in the second half. In the 64th minute, Ivan Tona scored in what was impressive offensive buildup by the Aztec Canines. Tona himself began the play by passing the ball to Alejandro Gomez, who found Tona inside of the penalty area.

The Mexican midfielder shot the ball on first contact and found the back of the net. Raul Zuniga cut Cruz Azul’s lead to one after scoring in the 68th minute. The Colombian striker took advantage of a huge miscue by Willer Ditta, who passed the ball back into empty space.

Raul Zuñiga cuts Cruz Azul’s lead even further. Now a 3-2 lead for Cruz Azul against #Xolos. Just like that Club Tijuana is back in this game.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/5hBLbIWJsR

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) February 1, 2025

Zuniga used his immense pace to track the ball down and finished the goalscoring opportunity with ease in the penalty area.

Club Tijuana kept on pushing for an equalizer and had some scoring opportunities. The game became very intense and hard-fought, as there was even an altercation with some pushing and shoving between both sides.

The miracle almost came in the dying moments of the match when Raul Zuniga put the ball in the back of the net with a header. The ball found the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed due to the previous play on the scoring drive. Efrain Alvarez went out of bounds on the play while he was sending the cross to Zuniga.

Game ended Cruz Azul 3-2 Xolos.

Efrain Alvarez complained to the fourth referee after the match. Xolos put a ball in the back of the net, but Alvarez seemed to be out of bounds on the scoring play.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/KJm7BTkmgd

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) February 1, 2025

The goal had been called, and there was a euphoric burst around the stadium, but it was quickly disallowed. Club Tijuana players quickly rushed and complained to referee Oscar Terrazas after the final whistle, while Efrain Alvarez had a discussion with the fourth official.

The loss was not ideal after suffering such a tremendous loss in the last game against Tigres UANL. Additionally, the consistent defensive issues remained in this match, with some sloppy marking even by new signing Jackson Porozo.

The Border City Dogs will play against Chivas on February 9, away from home, before returning home to face FC Juarez on February 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.