Javier Ruiz scores twice as Necaxa secures crucial points in Liga MX.
Category: Sports
In a commanding performance, Necaxa defeated Tijuana 3-0 at Estadio Victoria in Aguascalientes on March 20, 2026. This victory marked a crucial turnaround for Necaxa, breaking a five-match winless streak in Liga MX.
The match, which kicked off at 9:00 PM, saw Necaxa take control early, but it wasn’t until the end of the first half that they broke the deadlock. Javier Ruiz opened the scoring with a powerful shot from inside the area after a series of rebounds that Tijuana failed to clear. Ruiz's strike found the net just before halftime, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
As Tijuana struggled to regain their composure, the situation worsened for them just minutes later. Kevin Castañeda was initially shown a red card for a harsh tackle on Cristian Calderón in the 40th minute. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the referee downgraded the red to a yellow card, allowing Tijuana to continue with ten players.
Despite the reprieve, Tijuana could not capitalize. Instead, it was Necaxa that doubled their lead shortly after the break. Just 11 minutes into the second half, Ruiz struck again, this time with a deft right-footed shot that nestled in the far corner, bringing the score to 2-0.
With Tijuana on the back foot, Necaxa continued to dominate possession and create chances. In the 75th minute, they sealed the victory when Ricardo Monreal delivered an excellent cross into the box, which Tomás Badaloni headed home without any pressure, confirming the 3-0 scoreline.
Match statistics highlighted Necaxa’s superiority, with 54.9% possession compared to Tijuana’s 45.1%. Necaxa took a total of 20 shots, with 9 on target, while Tijuana managed only 8 shots, with just 2 hitting the target. The match also saw Necaxa earn 6 corner kicks compared to Tijuana’s solitary corner, and while Necaxa did not receive any yellow cards, Tijuana was cautioned twice.
Following this match, Necaxa climbed to 10th place in the Liga MX standings with 13 points after 12 matches, while Tijuana remained in 11th with 12 points. This result is particularly significant for Necaxa, who had been struggling to find form in recent weeks.
As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on this match. For Necaxa, the hope is that this victory sparks a turnaround in their season, while Tijuana will need to regroup and address their defensive frailties if they hope to improve their position in the league.