Mora's Penalty Brace Seals Tijuana's Win Over Pumas
Gilberto Mora converted two second-half penalties to give Tijuana a 2-0 victory over Pumas in Liga MX action. The goals came after a scoreless first half, with Mora beating Keylor Navas both times. Tijuana moved to 13 points and second place, while Pumas stayed on eight points.
The match remained tightly contested through the opening half, with both sides canceling each other out before the deadlock broke after the interval. Tijuana's pressure built early in the second period, and a foul conceded during a corner kick produced the first penalty opportunity. Mora converted calmly, then repeated the feat later after a counterattack ended with a foul on Mourad El Ghezouani inside the box. Goalkeeper Antonio Rodríguez also preserved the lead with a key save against Pedro Vite's long-range effort.
The result lifted Tijuana to 13 points and second place in the Apertura 2026 standings, while Pumas remained on eight points in tenth position. Mora's brace marked his second standout performance in recent rounds, following his goal and assist against Cruz Azul. The victory extended Tijuana's strong start to the season at Estadio Caliente.
This result could shift momentum in the Apertura 2026 standings, with Tijuana positioning themselves as early title contenders while Pumas risk falling behind in the playoff race. Mora's emerging role as a clutch penalty taker may raise his profile among scouts and fans, potentially increasing attention on Liga MX's younger talents. For Pumas, the loss could pressure the coaching staff to address defensive discipline, as conceding two penalties suggests recurring issues in box management that may affect their season trajectory.