Tijuana Xolos midfielder Iván Tona jogged up the field and, from well outside the box, unleashed a rocket that an outstretched CJ dos Santos couldn’t reach. The shot hit the underside of the crossbar and fell into the goal.

That shot in the 82nd minute proved to be the game-winner, giving Tijuana a 2-1 victory and a Baja Cup win in the second annual exhibition match between the Xolos and San Diego FC.

Tijuana struck first in the 34th minute. Defender Joban Gonzalez slowly brought the ball up the right side of the field before sending in a cross that David Orduño headed past San Diego goalkeeper Duran Ferree for the 1-0 lead.

Ferree played the first half, with San Diego’s regular starter, dos Santos, entering the game to begin the second.

A year ago, Tijuana also jumped out to a 1-0 lead before San Diego came back to win 4-2 in the inaugural Baja Cup. That wouldn’t happen on Wednesday night.

Right before the halftime whistle, San Diego FC took a corner kick that was headed multiple times inside the box before falling to defender Osvald Søe, who put it away to tie the game 1-1.

There were loud cheers when Xolos midfielder Gilberto Mora entered the game after halftime. The 17-year-old is considered one of the Mexican national team’s brightest young players. There were various signs throughout Snapdragon Stadium asking for his autograph, while other fans wanted his jersey.

Mora got his first opportunity in the 56th minute, when a Xolos cross into the box was headed toward him. Mora fired a shot that dos Santos was able to block. The crowd seemed split on the save, with some fans cheering and others groaning.

The young midfielder has become a player many young Mexican fans across North and Central America look up to following his performance in the 2026 World Cup. European clubs such as Barcelona, Liverpool, Arsenal and Real Madrid have been linked with him, but for now he remains a Xolos player alongside his father, Gilberto Sr., who is a member of Tijuana’s coaching staff.

In the 72nd minute, dos Santos came up big again when a pass was launched into the box and a diving Mourad El Ghezouani headed it toward the bottom-left corner. The goalkeeper was able to get his fingertips on the ball and guide it out of play.

Then came Tona’s decisive moment.

San Diego FC will now travel to Miami to face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Sunday at 4 p.m.