This Tuesday, March 1, 2022, the Tijuana Xolos pulled off an impressive 2-1 away win against Toluca in the eighth round of matches in the Liga MX 2022 Clausura. Chilean forward Joaquin Montecinos scored his first goal of the season in the match in what was also his first start of the season.
The Xoloitzcuintles came into this game as underdogs as Club Tijuana typically struggles to play away from the Estadio Caliente. However, the Aztec Canines were coming off an impressive 2-0 home win against current Liga MX champions Atlas.
The momentum from that victory seemed to have carried over into this match as Xolos pulled off the upset. Marcel Ruiz scored his second goal in Tijuana’s last two games to start the scoring in the game in the 17th minute. Christian Rivera then scored into his own net in the 39th minute to tie the game for Toluca at 1-1.
The game remained a hard-fought clash throughout, but Joaquin Montecinos was able to net the game-winner for Club Tijuana in the 85th minute of the match. The goal came from a beautiful one-two play from Montecinos and Renato Ibarra.
Montecinos ran down the right flank and passed the ball to the Ecuadorian winger, who returned it to the Chilean forward, who burst a potent shot past Luis Garcia for the goal. Montecinos had looked impressive off the bench in previous games and it is a mystery as to why Xolos Manager Sebastian Mendez decided to start the 26-year-old until Week 8.
Montecinos is perceived as one of the best talents coming out of Chile as his move to the Xoloitzcuintles was a surprise, to say the least. The South American forward has looked comfortable in the Liga MX and it will be interesting to see his progression in the Mexican league.
