TIJUANA, Mexico — A night heavy with Liga MX implications unfolded at Estadio Caliente, as Club Tijuana and Monterrey delivered a gripping 2-2 draw distinguished by lead changes, moments of individual excellence and a late surge that left neither side fully satisfied nor defeated. The four goals, scattered across the evening, told the story of a match in which control and momentum were as fleeting as the coastal fog beyond the stadium walls.

Club Tijuana, emboldened by home support, struck first in the 12th minute when F. Boya latched onto a loose ball in the penalty area and finished decisively. The early goal rewarded Tijuana’s incisive start and momentarily rattled a Monterrey side that arrived with ambitions of climbing the Apertura table. Boya’s finish — his last major involvement before he was replaced at halftime — capped a stretch in which Tijuana’s pressing and energy threatened to unbalance Monterrey’s rhythm.

As the first half wore on, however, Monterrey gradually asserted their authority, retaining possession for extended stretches but finding Tijuana’s defensive structure stubbornly resilient. The visitors’ effort was nearly undone on the counterattack more than once, but approaching the interval, they found their opening. In the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time, O. Torres threaded a precise pass behind the defense to G. Berterame, who made no mistake from close range, firing past the outstretched goalkeeper to level the score at 1-1.

Berterame’s equalizer was a testament to Monterrey’s persistence and set the tone for his second-half exploits. Tijuana went to the break ruing their missed chances and were soon made to pay. Just 12 minutes after the restart, Monterrey completed the turnaround: L. Ocampos, whose influence grew as the match progressed, provided an incisive assist for Berterame. The Argentine striker — a constant threat between the lines — calmly slotted home his second of the night, giving Monterrey a 2-1 lead and silencing the home supporters.

Tijuana’s response was swift and emphatic. Only three minutes after falling behind, the hosts restored parity through A. Preciado, who made amends for his earlier booking with a perfectly timed run to the back post. A. Vega, instrumental in midfield throughout, delivered a teasing cross that eluded the Monterrey defense and found Preciado in stride; he turned the ball into the net with composure, drawing Tijuana level at 2-2 and igniting the home crowd once again.

The final half-hour unfolded with both teams searching for a decisive blow. Monterrey introduced V. Guzman in the 66th minute and Ocampos in the 87th in an effort to wrestle back control, while Tijuana countered with attacking substitutions of their own, including R. Arciga and K. Castaneda. The match, increasingly stretched, veered from end to end, with both goalkeepers called into action to preserve the stalemate.

The referee’s notebook reflected the game’s intensity. Four yellow cards were issued — one to Preciado in the 42nd minute for a late challenge, another to Monterrey’s J. Rodriguez shortly after halftime, and one each to Monterrey’s O. Torres and Tijuana’s J. Porozo during a tense spell midway through the second half.

Despite late pressure, neither side could summon a winner in the closing minutes. Monterrey’s Berterame remained the most acute threat, but Tijuana’s defense, reorganized through successive substitutions, held firm. The final whistle prompted a mixture of relief and frustration in both camps: Tijuana had twice surrendered the lead, while Monterrey, powered by Berterame’s brace, saw three points slip from their grasp.

This draw leaves both sides navigating the congested middle of the Apertura standings, with questions to ponder before the campaign’s decisive final weeks. For Monterrey, the promise of Berterame’s finishing is undeniable; for Tijuana, the ability to respond to adversity bodes well, even if victory proved elusive.

Estadio Caliente, under Monday’s early hours and the relentless expectation of Liga MX, served as the stage for a contest that revealed as much about each team’s spirit as their shortcomings. In the end, four goals, shared points, and a night of football that offered no easy answers.