Toluca Navigates Absences to Secure Crucial Liga MX Win Over Tijuana

TOLUCA (Azat TV) – Deportivo Toluca FC secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Club Tijuana in their Liga MX Clausura Matchday 6 encounter on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Estadio Nemesio Diez. The win, recorded as final on February 14, offered Toluca a much-needed boost, snapping a recent winless streak despite facing significant lineup challenges heading into the match.

The solitary goal proved decisive in a tightly contested affair that saw Toluca demonstrate resilience and tactical discipline. The home side, often referred to as ‘Los Diablos Rojos,’ managed to break down a defensively resolute Tijuana squad that had entered the match with a string of draws, proving difficult to score against.

Toluca’s Tactical Victory and Match Statistics

The match was characterized by a tactical battle, with Toluca aiming to control the midfield and Tijuana focusing on defensive organization and counter-attacks. According to statistics from Fox Sports, Toluca dominated possession with 59% compared to Tijuana’s 41%. They also had more shots, registering 12 attempts with 4 on target, while Tijuana managed 5 shots with 2 on target. This offensive pressure ultimately paid off for the home side.

Despite the statistical advantage, the game was physical, with both teams accumulating 3 yellow cards each. Toluca conceded 9 fouls, fewer than Tijuana’s 15, indicating a slightly cleaner defensive performance. Both teams earned 4 corners, suggesting attempts to create opportunities from set pieces, though Toluca’s 23 crosses (4 successful) outpaced Tijuana’s 18 crosses (0 successful), highlighting their more effective wide play.

Pre-Match Expectations and Injury Challenges

The victory was particularly significant for Toluca given the pre-match context. Ahead of the clash, Toluca was grappling with several key absences, as reported by Filmogaz. Midfielder Alexis Vega was listed with physical discomfort, making his full fitness uncertain, while Nico Castro was sidelined due to an injury sustained in a previous match. Other attacking options, including Helinho, were also unavailable, forcing the coaching staff to rely heavily on players like Córdova, Angulo, and Marcel to generate creativity and provide service to primary striker Paulinho.

Pre-match analyses, such as those from Dimers, had heavily favored Toluca, with their predictive model giving the home team a 75.2% chance of winning, compared to just 10.0% for Club Tijuana and a 14.8% chance of a draw. The most probable final scores predicted included a 2-0 or 2-1 victory for Toluca, underscoring the expectation of a home win, albeit with the challenge of overcoming their injury woes.

Tijuana’s Defensive Stand and Future Outlook

Club Tijuana, known as ‘Xolos,’ arrived at Estadio Nemesio Diez with an unbeaten run in the Clausura but had been plagued by multiple draws. Their strategy, as anticipated by analysts, emphasized defensive compactness and stifling Toluca’s playmakers in midfield. They aimed to exploit direct transitions and create chances from set pieces and counters, a strategy that made them difficult to break down but often left them lacking in offensive finishing.

This narrow defeat means Tijuana’s search for consistent attacking output to convert stalemates into victories continues. For Toluca, the win not only secures three crucial points but also demonstrates their ability to perform under pressure and adapt to a depleted squad, potentially setting a positive tone for their upcoming fixtures in the demanding Liga MX Clausura campaign.

The outcome of this match, particularly Toluca’s ability to secure a victory despite significant personnel challenges, highlights the depth and tactical adaptability required in Liga MX. It serves as a strong signal of intent from the home side, demonstrating their capacity to compete effectively even when key players are unavailable, a testament to their coaching staff’s preparation and the resilience of the squad.