Monterrey and Club Tijuana played to a thrilling 3-3 draw in a Liga MX Apertura 2026 match on Saturday, a result that complicates the home team’s hopes of securing a direct spot in the Liguilla while keeping the visitors firmly in playoff contention. The match, held at Estadio BBVA, was a back-and-forth affair featuring five goals in the first half alone, leaving both teams with significant implications as the regular season nears its end.
Stakes High for Monterrey at Kickoff
Entering the match under pressure, Monterrey knew a loss would be damaging. The team sat in eighth place in the Liga MX standings with 20 points, just outside the direct qualification spots for the playoffs. With coach Matías Almeyda and star midfielder Orbelín Pineda suspended due to red cards from their previous match, the home side faced an uphill battle.
Club Tijuana, meanwhile, arrived with momentum. The team was on a five-game unbeaten streak—one win and four draws—and sat in seventh place with 21 points. Under coach Sebastián Abreu, the Xolos had shown resilience, and a draw away from home would be a valuable result in their own push for the playoffs.
Rapid-Fire First Half Sets the Tone
The match did not disappoint in its opening minutes. Tijuana struck first, capitalizing on a corner kick in the fifth minute. Francisco González delivered the cross, and Jackson Porozo rose highest to head the ball into the top-left corner, giving the visitors an early 1-0 lead.
Monterrey responded with urgency. In the 19th minute, they were awarded a penalty kick after a VAR review determined that Unai Bilbao had fouled Hugo Cuypers inside the area. Cuypers, the Belgian forward, stepped up and calmly converted the spot kick to level the score at 1-1.
The lead changed hands again before halftime. In the 45th minute, Ricardo Chávez provided a perfect pass to Cuypers, who chipped the ball over the goalkeeper with a delicate “taquito” touch to make it 2-1. Monterrey’s joy was short-lived, however. Just three minutes into stoppage time, Adonis Preciado headed in a cross from Rafael Fernández to bring the score to 2-2 by the break.
Telediario reported that the first half was a “vibrant encounter full of twists and turns,” highlighting Monterrey’s attacking prowess but also their defensive fragility, which “ultimately dampened the party” at the Estadio BBVA.
Second Half Drama Continues
The second half began with substitutions from both teams. Tijuana introduced Gilberto Mora and Pablo Ortiz, a move that would have a significant impact on the game’s outcome.
Monterrey regained the lead in the 57th minute through a moment of individual brilliance. Lucas Ocampos, who had been relatively quiet, met an Óliver Torres cross with a spectacular bicycle kick that flew into the top corner, making it 3-2. Milenio described the goal as one that “will never be forgotten,” calling it a “spectacular scissor kick with his right foot.”
The lead lasted only two minutes. Tijuana’s Gilberto Mora, the young substitute, showcased his vision with a perfectly weighted through-ball between Monterrey’s central defenders. Adonis Preciado latched onto it, rounded the goalkeeper, and slotted home his second goal of the match, tying the score at 3-3 in the 60th minute.
End-to-End Action and Final Whistle
The final 30 minutes were a flurry of activity, with both teams pushing for a winner. Monterrey made a flurry of changes, bringing on Érick Aguirre, Stefan Medina, and Luca Orellano for Ricardo Chávez, Víctor Guzmán, and the departing Ocampos. The home side pressed for a winner, but Tijuana’s defense held firm.
In the final moments, Monterrey’s Luca Orellano had a chance to win it, but his shot was saved by Tijuana’s goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez. The match ended 3-3, a fair result in a game that featured few clear-cut chances after the flurry of early goals.
Implications for the Standings
The draw leaves Monterrey with 21 points, still clinging to eighth place in the standings. However, their position is precarious. A victory for Santos Laguna the following day would drop Monterrey out of the direct playoff zone, meaning they would have to rely on other results to secure their spot. With three consecutive road games remaining—against Toluca, Querétaro, and Pumas—Monterrey’s path to the Liguilla has become significantly more difficult.
For Tijuana, the point was valuable. With 22 points, they solidified their hold on seventh place, a position that likely secures a playoff berth. The draw extended their unbeaten run to six games and demonstrated their ability to get results on the road, a key trait for any playoff contender.
What’s Next for Both Teams
Monterrey’s focus now shifts to their crucial away matches. Their next game is a trip to face Toluca on November 7, followed by matches against Querétaro on November 14 and Pumas on November 21. Their fate in the Apertura 2026 will likely be decided on the road.
Club Tijuana will look to continue their form at home. Their next match is against Necaxa on November 6, followed by a home game against Atlante on November 20. A strong finish to the season could see them climb even higher in the table.
