Match recap: Tijuana 2, Toluca 0

Tijuana got goals from Miller Bolaños and Fabián Castillo in a dominant performance to get their second win of the season, downing Toluca 2-0 in a wet affair at Estadio Caliente.

The match got off to a good start for both teams, with the teams getting good chances early. Tijuana played some of their best soccer in recent memory. They kept possession, the offense looked dangerous, the midfield created plays. In the eighth minute, Fabián Castillo would cross the ball to Ariel Nahuelpán but his sliding shot would be easily stopped by Alfredo Talavera. Two minutes later, Nahuelpán would chip Tala and put the ball in the net but the assistant referee would raise his flag late.

In the 12th minute, Toluca almost scored but the ball was cleared off of the line by a fine bicycle clearance by Diego Rodríguez. Two minutes later at the other end, Omar Mendoza would cross the ball behind the Toluca defense to Miller Bolaños. Bolaños took his time and hit a fine shot that would beat Tala and put Xolos up.

Toluca had a real chance in the 26th minute when Felipe Pardo beat Miller Bolaños to a ball, went in one-on-one with Gibran Lajud, but shanked his shot wide of the net. Xolos had another good chance in the 40th minute when Gustavo “Pantera” Bou played a 1-2 with Fabián Castillo, but Castillo pushed his shot high over the bar.

In the 51st minute Fabián Castillo hit a beautiful cross to Bolaños, but his right-footed volley went high over the bar. In the 60th minute, Diego Rodríguez would push William da Silva in the back in the box. The penalty was given, and Antonio Ríos would smash the ball off of the post.

In the 67th minute, Fabián Castillo would get a fantastic ball from Nahuelpán and place the ball perfectly past Talavera to double the lead for Club Tijuana.

In stoppage time, Fernando Tobio would kick Ariel Nahuelpán from behind. Initially shown a yellow card, Adonai Escobedo would go to VAR and rescind the yellow to show Tobio a red. This incensed Hernán Cristante, who would himself be sent off. For the first time since September, Club Tijuana would win a match at home.

Tijuana will head all the way to Cancún to face Atlante in Copa MX play on Wednesday before going to Torreón to face Santos Laguna on Sunday. Toluca returns home to host Cruz Azul on Sunday.

Tijuana: Gibran Lajud; Luis Fuentes, Diego Braghieri, Julián Velázquez, Omar Mendoza; Fabián Castillo (Juan Carlos Valenzuela, 90+1’), Diego Rodríguez, Miller Bolaños (Joe Corona, 70’), Ignacio Rivero; Ariel Nahuelpán, Gustavo Bou (Luis Chávez, 79’)

Toluca: Alfredo Talavera; Santiago García, Fernando Tobio, Jonatan Maidana, Rodrigo Salinas; Felipe Pardo (Alan Medina, 72’), Antonio Ríos, William da Silva (Leonel López, 62’), Luis Mendoza (Pablo Barrientos, 55’); Emmanuel Gigliotti, Enrique Triverio

Scoring: Tijuana - Miller Bolaños (14’), Fabián Castillo (68’); Toluca - None

Disciplinary: Tijuana - Omar Mendoza (Yellow - 47’), Diego Rodríguez (Yellow - 75’); Toluca - Felipe Pardo (Yellow - 25’), William da Silva (Yellow - 49’), Antonio Ríos (Yellow - 53’), Emmanuel Gigliotti (Yellow - 82’), Fernando Tobio (Red - 90+4’)