Analysis The numbers behind the result
Tijuana edge Cruz Azul despite inferior possession and xG
Tijuana's 2-1 victory slightly flattered them on the balance of play, with Cruz Azul generating more shots on target (5 vs 3) and a higher xG (1.40 vs 0.85). However, the hosts were more clinical — converting two of their three on-target efforts, while Cruz Azul scored just once from five. The decisive phase came either side of half-time: Iván Rivero's 44th-minute opener and Gabriel Mora's 54th-minute winner, both assisted via midfield transitions, punished Cruz Azul's high-line defending.
Cruz Azul's 58% possession yielded quantity (13 shots) but not quality, with 10 attempts coming from outside the box. Tijuana, while defensively stretched (13 fouls), were more incisive — 69% of their shots came inside the box, and their 1.40 xG came from fewer total shots (13 vs Cruz Azul's 13). The key stat: Tijuana's goalkeeper made four saves (-1.22 goals prevented), denying Cruz Azul's dominance from translating into a result.