Tijuana hosts Cruz Azul as unbeaten Xolos face reigning champs in Matchday 4

Unbeaten runs have a first and last name in this Apertura 2026, and one of the two clubs that still holds one is hosting none other than the reigning champion. Tijuana opens its doors at the Estadio Caliente to take on Cruz Azul in Matchday 4, a clash that arrives with the Xolos riding high and La Maquina looking to right the ship after a blow nobody saw coming.

Because until recently, Cruz Azul looked untouchable. The club won its opener against Atletico de San Luis and then beat Puebla 2-1, defending the crown with the poise of a champion. But soccer has its ironies: it was newly promoted Atlante that halted the run with a 3-2 result right before the Leagues Cup break. That stumble shifted the mood around the Cruz Azul squad, which now needs a quick response before it starts glancing nervously at the standings.

On the other side, Tijuana is living a different reality altogether. With Sebastian Abreu in charge, the team came out swinging to start the tournament: a 3-1 win over Tigres on opening day, followed by a narrow victory against Leon, and then, in Matchday 3, a scoreless draw against Atletico de San Luis that kept the streak alive. Three games without a loss add up to seven points, the same total as America, making the Xolos the only club keeping pace with the league leader in the unbeaten department. That's no small feat for a team that usually finds itself fighting in the middle of the table.

How both teams arrive

The numbers back up Tijuana's strong form: the club sits second overall, tied on points with the leader. Home field adds an extra boost too, since playing at the Estadio Caliente has given this team the consistency it needs, with its fans' support, to hold its level against top-tier opponents.

Cruz Azul, meanwhile, arrives under pressure to respond. The loss to Atlante exposed defensive issues that hadn't shown up in the first two matchdays, and the champions know another slip could start weighing on the squad, especially given the prestige that comes with defending the title.

As for possible lineups, Abreu could go with Antonio Rodriguez in goal and the attacking duo of Gilberto Mora and Diego Abreu as the main threats going forward. For Cruz Azul, Nicolas Ibanez looks set to lead the line up front, with Luka Romero and Agustin Palavecino handling the creative duties.

The match is set for Sunday, August 16, at 9:00 pm Mexico City time (10:00 pm in Ecuador, Colombia and Peru; 11:00 pm Eastern time and in Chile; 12:00 am in Argentina and Uruguay), with the Estadio Caliente as the venue. It's a matchup with plenty on the line: an unbeaten streak against a champion in need of a reaction, in a Matchday 4 that could set the tone for the rest of the tournament for both sides.