TIJUANA, Mexico -- Club Tijuana and Toluca faced off in the first leg of the Grand Final of the 2012 Liga MX Apertura Thursday night at the Estadio Caliente in Tijuana, with the home team posting a narrow 2-1 victory.

After a back and forth first quarter hour, the home team went ahead in the 23rd minute. Ecuadorian forward Fidel Martinez received a long ball at the top of the box, and coolly settled before slotting past Toluca goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera.

Just three minutes later, the visitors leveled following a defensive miscue from the Xolos. Toluca forward Lucas Silva got in on the left side of the home defense and sent a pass across the box for Edgar Benitez to tap home.

When it looked as if matters would go to the locker tied, the Xolos struck again from a set piece. Joe Corona headed across the area for Pablo Aguilar to slip home from close range to give the host a 2-1 lead six minutes before the break.

The second half was visibly less frenetic, as both teams appeared relatively content to head back to Toluca with the score as it stood.

The clubs will meet again on Sunday at the Estadio Nemesio Diez in Toluca for the return leg.