Tijuana beat Pumas as Gilberto Mora scores penalty; Pumas defender Nathan Silva close to Botafogo move

Tijuana take the lead against Pumas

In matchday six of Mexico's Liga MX Apertura 2026, Tijuana's Xolos faced Pumas. In the 53rd minute, the referee awarded Tijuana a penalty, and 17-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora stepped up to take it. He struck the ball with his right foot toward the right side of the goal, beating experienced Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who guessed the correct direction but could not reach the shot in time. The goal put Tijuana ahead and forced Pumas to chase an equalizer. According to Récord, Mora continues to prove why he is considered one of Mexican football's biggest young talents.

Pumas defender close to Botafogo transfer

Separately, 29-year-old Brazilian defender Nathan Silva, currently at Pumas, may soon leave the Mexican club to join Brazil's Botafogo. Nathan Silva has played in Mexico since mid-2023, when Pumas paid Atlético Mineiro around $4 million (about R$20 million at the time) for him; he had won the Brazilian league and cup titles with Atlético in 2021. At Pumas he is a regular starter and was named the best defender in the Mexican league last season.

Sources disagree on the transfer fee: O Globo reports around R$10 million, while Terra states the deal is worth roughly €2.5 million (about R$15 million) for full economic rights. The outlets also differ on the deal's status — O Globo says Botafogo is "close" to finalizing the signing, while Terra reports the agreement has already been reached. Both agree the new contract would run through 2029, with Terra specifying December 2029. According to Terra, Botafogo had already offered €1.8 million for the player in January, but Pumas rejected the bid, citing a closed transfer window. Botafogo intends to use Nathan Silva to compete for a defensive spot alongside Ferraresi, Justino, Anthony and Lucas Monzón.