Tijuana Xolos Copa MX 2020 Recap: Xolos advance to Copa MX final for first time in club history
Toluca, Mexico
The Tijuana Xolos played the second-leg of their semifinal Copa MX matchup against Toluca this Tuesday, March 10, at the Estadio Nemesio Diez. The Xoloitzcuintles were headed into the game with plenty of confidence as the border city side had a comfortable 3-0 lead on the aggregate scoreline. Both teams clearly recognized the importance of the match as both sides used squads with several key Liga MX starters.
Despite, Tijuana’s massive lead, Toluca gave an incredible effort as the Xolos won the match by a lucrative scoreline of 4-3. The scoring started early in the clash as former Xolos’ midfielder Javier Guemez gave Toluca a 1-0 lead in the 6th minute of the encounter.
Guemez socred off a first-time shot off a corner kick by Leonardo Fernandez as the scoring play was an absolute beauty. The Aztec Canines were able to tie the game in the 29th minute as Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez scored off a corner kick. The goal was an absolute mess as Toluca’s backline was caught horribly off guard on the scoring play.
Kevin Castaneda then quickly regained the lead for the home team in the 34th minute as his goal was thanks to disastrous defending by the Xolos. The first half ended with Toluca having a 2-1lead, but the Red Devils extended their lead in the 51st minute as Kevin Castaneda scored his second goal of the match.
Toluca had the 3-1 lead in the match, but the Xolos still had a 4-3 lead on the aggregate scoreline. Club Tijuana did not settle on the slim lead as the Xolos went on to score three unanswered goals after that third goal by Los Ecarlatas.
Christian Rivera scored the first to make it a 3-2 game in the 61st minute as he scored off a powerful strike from inside of the penalty box. Jordan Silva then made it a 3-3 scoreline in the 64th minute with a goal off a header from a free-kick. The goal was a beautifully executed play by Club Tijuana as Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez crossed the ball with a header to Jordan Silva, who headed the sphere to the back of the net.
Miguel Barbieri scored the final goal of the match in the 70th minute of the clash as he scored off a set-piece by Ignacio Rivero. There was a mess inside of the penalty area on the scoring play as both teams really struggled defensively in the match.
The Xoloitzcuintles came away with the 4-3 victory and a 7-3 aggregate scoreline. The Xolos have now advanced to the Copa MX final for the first time in franchise history as this is a historic moment for the club. The Border City Dogs will face either FC Juarez or Monterrey in the final as both teams will play their second-leg this Wednesday, March 11.
Xolos Lineup: Carlos Higuera, Aldo Cruz, Miguel Barbieri, Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez, Jordan Silva, Omar Mendoza, Luis Gamiz, Christian Rivera (73′ Edwin Cardona), Ignacio Rivero, Erick Torres (55′ Mauro Lainez), Bryan Angulo (85′ Edgar Lopez)
Francisco, 26, 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 Loyal, San Diego Wave.