Rayados de Monterrey 3-3 Club Tijuana: Six-Goal Thriller Leaves Both Sides With Mixed Emotions

Rayados de Monterrey and Club Tijuana produced a breathless 3-3 draw in Liga MX at the Estadio BBVA, with the hosts twice fighting back before a late equaliser capped a dramatic night in Monterrey.

It was a match that had almost everything: early shocks, tactical shifts, superb individual moments and a finish that kept both benches on edge until the final whistle. Rayados dominated long spells of possession and created the clearer volume of chances, but Club Tijuana’s counter-attacking threat made them dangerous throughout. The result adds another memorable chapter to the Liga MX head-to-head between two clubs capable of producing open, high-tempo football.

Match overview

Monterrey began with the intent expected of a home side pushing for a strong position in the Apertura 2026 standings. Sergio Canales dictated the tempo from midfield, Óliver Torres drifted into pockets between the lines, and the full-backs pushed high to pin Tijuana back. Yet the visitors were compact, disciplined and willing to strike on the break.

That approach paid off early. Tijuana’s first meaningful transition opened the scoring when a quick exchange released Raúl Zúñiga, who finished low beyond Esteban Andrada. The Estadio BBVA fell quiet for a moment, but Monterrey’s response was swift and sustained. Canales began finding space on the right half-space, and Rayados’ aerial threat from set pieces became increasingly difficult for the Xolos to contain.

By the time the second half arrived, the match had turned into a trade of momentum. Monterrey pushed numbers forward, Tijuana looked to exploit the space behind the full-backs, and both goalkeepers were forced into important saves. The six-goal scoreline reflected the openness of the contest rather than any lack of defensive effort.

Key moments

• Early breakthrough for Tijuana: A fast transition ended with Raúl Zúñiga beating the goalkeeper from inside the penalty area, giving the visitors a shock lead.
• Monterrey respond: Sergio Canales’ delivery from a corner found Germán Berterame, whose header brought Rayados level and restored belief around the stadium.
• Xolos retake the lead: A set-piece scramble ended with Tijuana forcing the ball over the line, punishing Monterrey for failing to clear their lines.
• Berterame strikes again: Jesús Gallardo’s low cross created the equaliser, with Berterame arriving at the back post to make it 2-2.
• Tijuana’s third: Kevin Castañeda finished off another sharp counter-attack, combining with Zúñiga before converting at the near post.
• Late Rayados equaliser: Jordi Cortizo, introduced from the bench, arrived late in the box to turn in a cross and make it 3-3, sending the home support into one final roar.

Tactical story

Monterrey’s shape was built around control. Canales was the central creative hub, constantly rotating with Torres and looking to release the wide players in behind. Rayados’ full-backs, especially Gallardo, pushed aggressively, which gave the hosts extra width but also left them exposed when Tijuana won the ball in midfield.

Club Tijuana’s plan was clear: stay compact in a mid-to-low block, deny central access, and attack quickly through the channels. Their front line worked tirelessly to press Monterrey’s first pass out of defence, and their midfielders were quick to support the striker whenever possession turned over. It was not a passive performance; it was a disciplined counter-attacking display that repeatedly asked questions of Monterrey’s high line.

The game’s key tactical battle was between Monterrey’s need to commit bodies forward and Tijuana’s ability to break at speed. When Rayados kept their rest-defence organised, they controlled proceedings. When they overcommitted, the Xolos found space and looked capable of scoring every time they entered the final third.

Standout performers

Sergio Canales was at the heart of Monterrey’s best attacking work, linking midfield and attack with sharp passes and dangerous set-piece deliveries. Germán Berterame produced the centre-forward performance Rayados needed, scoring twice and occupying both centre-backs throughout. Jesús Gallardo added energy down the left, while Jordi Cortizo made the decisive impact from the bench.

For Tijuana, Raúl Zúñiga was a constant outlet, combining his goal with an assist and giving Monterrey’s defenders little time to settle. Kevin Castañeda grew into the match and capped his performance with a well-taken goal on the counter. Goalkeeper Antonio Rodríguez