By Joel Casillas

Xolos Draw 1-1 Against Juárez Without Gilberto Mora

With the second half of the Liga MX season underway, Xolos de Tijuana traveled to face FC Juárez looking for three crucial points to strengthen their position in the playoff race. Instead, the border rivals shared the points after a 1-1 draw, leaving Tijuana under pressure as the regular season approaches its final stretch.

One of the biggest absences for the Rojinegro side was Gilberto Mora, who experienced physical overexertion during the international break with the Mexican national team. His absence presented an additional challenge for head coach Sebastián “Loco” Abreu.

Tijuana took the lead in the 31st minute, when Mourad converted a penalty to make it 1-0. After scoring, however, Xolos adopted a more defensive approach in an effort to protect the advantage, a decision that drew criticism from fans on social media.

The defensive strategy ultimately proved costly. In the 84th minute, Dourado found the equalizer for Juárez, securing the 1-1 final score and leaving both teams with one point.

The draw keeps Xolos in playoff position, but Tijuana is now level on points with Puebla, making its next match even more important.

Tijuana will host Puebla on Friday, October 16, at Estadio Caliente in a direct clash with major implications for the playoff race. Three points could prove crucial as the season enters its decisive stage.

Although Loco Abreu stated that Gilberto Mora does not have an injury, it remains uncertain whether the young midfielder will be available for the upcoming match. His potential return could be a significant boost for a Tijuana side looking to regain momentum and secure its place in the next round.

Highlights