Match recap: Puebla F.C. 0, Club Tijuana 1

In a game where defense was going to be key, a lone defensive mistake was the difference maker as Xolos pick up their first win of the season on a Fidel Martínez penalty conversion. This was Tijuana’s first win on the road since a 1-0 win at Chivas way back on October 30, 2019.

Puebla wasted no time taking it to Tijuana. In the third minute Puebla was able to break forward and Omar Fernández hit a shot that beat Jonathan Orozco, but hit off of the far post. The rebound came to Maxi Araújo, but he missed his shot well wide. While Puebla would continue to threaten, the tide would turn in the 11th when a Tijuana player was hauled down in the box and referee Adonai Escobedo did not hesitate to blow his whistle and point to the spot. Fidel Martínez stepped up to take the penalty and converted for Tijuana’s first goal of the year.

To their credit, Puebla went right back to work, retaining possession and making smart, calculated passes in an attempt to break down Xolos’ defense. Tijuana however was defensively solid and able to neutralize most of what Puebla was able to throw at them. In the 31st a good pass found the foot of Santiago Ormeño, who redirected the ball on frame, but Orozco was able to make a reaction save to keep the ball out of the net. Just before the halftime whistle Xolos almost doubled the lead on a header that an alert Antony Silva was able to punch out of danger. Then in stoppage George Corral hit a shot that was deflected out by a well-positioned Xolos defender.

In the second half, Puebla picked up largely where they left off in the first and two minutes in Javier Salas hit a rocket from distance that Orosco was forced to make a save on. At the other end it was Silva making a great save in the 54th on a shot from distance to keep his team in the game. Junior Sornoza had a shot in the 62nd that looked promising but went just over the bar. Then at the other end Christian Tabó was able to get free and rip a shot but it went into the side netting. In the 67th Marcel Ruiz squared up and hit a shot but Silva was in position and made a tough save look routine.

Puebla kept pushing for the equalizer, it just wouldn’t come. Daniel Ferrareis and Omar Fernández’ both had headers that went just over the bar, but the ball just would not go in for the home side and Tijuana would pick up their first three points of 2021.

Next week, Puebla remains at home to host Monterrey on Friday while Xolos will host Toluca on Saturday.

Puebla F.C.: Antony Silva; Salvador Reyes, Juan Segovia, Maximiliano Perg (Gustavo Ferrareis, 83’), Emanuel Gularte, George Corral; Omar Fernández, Maximilano Araújo (Daniel Álvarez, 64’) , Javier Salas, Christian Tabó; Santiago Ormeño (Amaury Escoto, 76’)

Club Tijuana: Jonathan Orozco; Brayan Angulo, Gonzalo Jara, Víctor Guzmán (Eduardo Tercera, 45’), Vladimir Loroña; Fidel Martínez (Fabián Castillo, 59’), Esteban Pavez, Junior Sornoza (Jaime Gómez, 90+1’), David Barbona (Marcel Ruiz, 63’); Mauro Manotas, Miguel Sansores (Christian Rivera, 45’_

Scoring: Puebla F.C. - None; Club Tijuana - Fidel Martínez (12’ - penalty)

Disciplinary: Puebla F.C. - Javier Salas (Yellow - 37’), Maximilano Araújo (Yellow - 57’), Nicolas Larcamon (Yellow - 79’); Club Tijuana - Víctor Guzmán (Yellow - 17’), Miguel Sansores (Yellow - 23’), Mauro Manotas (Yellow - 71’)