A Night of High Drama at Estadio Cuauhtémoc
Friday night’s Liga MX clash between Puebla and Tijuana delivered a spectacle for the ages, as Puebla edged out Tijuana 4-3 in a match packed with twists, lead changes, and late heroics. Fans at Estadio Cuauhtémoc were treated to a rollercoaster contest that saw both teams trade blows until the final whistle, with Carlos Baltazar emerging as the unlikely hero for the home side.
First Half: Goalkeepers Shine, Drama Builds
The opening 45 minutes were a tense, tactical affair. Tijuana’s goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez kept his side in the game, notably saving a penalty from Puebla’s Fernando Monarrez after a handball by Jackson Porozo. Despite several promising attacks, neither side could break the deadlock before halftime, with both defenses holding firm.
Second Half: Goals Galore and Momentum Swings
The second half exploded into life. Puebla and Tijuana traded goals in rapid succession, with the lead changing hands multiple times. Gilberto Mora, fresh off a strong showing at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, returned to Tijuana’s starting lineup and made an immediate impact, but it was Puebla’s Carlos Baltazar who stole the show with two crucial goals.
Key moments included:
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Baltazar’s first goal put Puebla ahead, igniting the home crowd.
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Tijuana responded quickly, with Frank Boya and Adonis Preciado finding the net to keep the visitors in contention.
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Late drama saw Puebla reclaim the lead, only for Tijuana to equalize again, setting up a frantic finish.
Final Whistle: Puebla Ends Losing Streak, Tijuana’s Road Woes Continue
Baltazar’s second goal proved decisive, sealing a 4-3 victory for Puebla and snapping their losing streak. For Tijuana, the defeat marked their third consecutive away loss, highlighting their ongoing struggles on the road this season.
Recent Form Snapshot
| Team | Last 10 Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against |
|----------|---------------|------|-------|--------|-----------|---------------|
| Puebla | 1 | 2 | 7 | 0.7 | 2.4 |
| Tijuana | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2.1 | 1.0 |
Puebla’s win was only their second in the last ten matches, while Tijuana’s away form remains a major concern, with just one road victory all season.
What This Means for Liga MX
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Puebla: The win provides a much-needed morale boost and keeps their playoff hopes alive, at least mathematically.
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Tijuana: The Xolos must regroup quickly if they hope to maintain their position in the top half of the table, especially with their away form faltering.
Expert Takeaways
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Carlos Baltazar’s emergence as a clutch performer could be a turning point for Puebla’s season.
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Tijuana’s defensive lapses on the road are becoming a pattern that manager Sebastian Abreu must urgently address.
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Liga MX’s unpredictability was on full display, reminding fans why Mexican football is among the most entertaining in the Americas.
Looking Ahead
Both teams face crucial fixtures in the coming weeks. Puebla will look to build on this momentum, while Tijuana must find answers away from home if they want to stay in the playoff race.
Sources
1. Baltazar fires Puebla past Tijuana in 4-3 thriller - Xinhua
2. Socioeconomic and ecological drivers of snakebite incidence in ...
3. Tijuana Xolos road struggles continue with 4-3 loss to Puebla
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6. [PDF] Trust: the key to social cohesion and growth in Latin America and ...
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10. 'Cambiando el chip': The gendered constellation of subjectivities of ...
11. Puebla vs Tijuana Prediction, Betting Tips, Lineups & Odds | 17 Oct ...
12. [PDF] Regional study on late birth registration, issuance of nationality ...
13. [PDF] Trust : the key to social cohesion and growth in Latin America ... - ZBW
