CLUB TIJUANA 3-2 CLUB LEON (FINAL)

TIJUANA - Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente closed out the Apertura 2014 season with a 3-2 win over Club Leon Friday night at Estadio Caliente. Goals from Dayro Moreno, Dario Benedetto, and a Leon own goal gave the Xoloitzcuintles the victory. Mauro Boselli and a Javier Salas own goal got the visitors on the scoreboard.

Moreno gave the Xoloitzcuintles the lead in the first half. Visiting Leon equalized the match in the second half through an Javier Salas own goal. Leon’s Jonny Magallon would score an own goal minutes later to once again give Club Tijuana the edge.

Argentine striker Dario Ismael Benedetto took control of the match in the early parts of the game. His ball distribution produced many dangerous opportunities for his teammates in front of the Leon goal.

Richard Ruiz had a header that went over the crossbar after a well placed pass from Benedetto in the second minute of play. Dayro Moreno had a similar quality service from Benedetto in the 16th minute. The Colombian’s header found the lower corner of the goal to give Club Tijuana the lead. 

The intense Xoloitzcuintle attack in the first half forced the visitors to commit many fouls in order to stop the hosts. Leon’s central defender Ignacio Gonzalez was shown two yellow cards in 33 minutes and left his team down a man the remainder of the match. 

In the second half, Leon tried to push forward in search of an equalizer, the Xoloitzcuintles took advantage of all of the free space the visitors left and produced several dangerous counter attacks. 

Club Leon found the equalizing goal in the 68th minute after a cross came in from the left and a Carlos Peña header was accidentally deflected by Xoloitzcuintles Salas' for an own goal. 

The Xoloitzcuintles quickly recovered the lead in the 71st minute when Leon’s Magallon scored on his own net to make the score 2-1. Edgar Villegas took the ball on the left side of the box and looked to send a low cross into the six yard box. In his attempt to prevent the ball from going through, Magallon ended up pushing the ball into his own goal. 

In the 87th minute, Benedetto capped off his night with a goal of his own. He received a long low pass down the middle, rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the empty net. He nearly had a second in similar fashion a minute later, but his shot did not have enough power and a Leon defender was able to clear the ball. 

Mauro Boselli scored the final goal of the nigth in the 90th minute. He sent in a cross that came from the left after a deflection. Boselli just had to tap the ball in with his head.