Tigres after winning Leagues Cup Semifinal
Tigres celebrates after defeating America in their Leagues Cup semifinal bout. (Jesus Acevedo Jr./The Bayoucitian)

Tigres prevail over America in penalties, advance to Leagues Cup Final

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HOUSTON – Tigres UANL outlasted America 5-3 in a penalty shootout to advance to the first-ever Leagues Cup Final.

The Liga MX giants clashed in front of 22,532 fans at BBVA Stadium. The second-largest crowd to watch a soccer game there, 129 less than the 2017 Western Conference Finals between the Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders.

Before heading to penalties, it was Tigres who dominated possession but it was America who scored all four goals, with two of them being own goals.

“I don’t like to lose or draw, especially in the last seconds of the game,” America head coach Miguel Herrera said.

“We scored four goals and we couldn’t get a result. That bothers me and it makes us uncomfortable.”

The own goals started in the 14th minute when Tigres winger Jürgen Damm got the ball on the right-wing and sprinted towards the end line. He sent a low cross into the box for Enner Valencia but before the ball could reach him, America defender Paul Aguilar got a touch on it.

Unfortunately, his touch redirected the ball to the back of the net, giving Tigres the early lead.

American, pushing to level the game, got their chance in the 36th minute, but it wasn’t without controversy.

America forward Roger Martinez received a pass on the right side of the box. The forward dribbled towards goal but before he could make a move, Tigres defender Carlos Salcedo shoved him in the back, knocking Martinez to the ground.

Initially, referee Diego Montaño Robles intended to let the game continue, much to the dismay of America players. But before the game could resume, Robles was listening on his earpiece and then signal to both teams that he was going to VAR.

After checking with VAR, Robles pointed to the spot, awarding America a penalty.

American forward Andrés Ibargüen stepped up to the spot and calmly slotted his shot to the back of the post, sending Tigres ‘keeper Nahuel Guzmán the wrong way.

Tigres dominated possession throughout the game and American was happy to oblige. The Leagues Cup semifinal matchup was America’s third game in seven days.

It lost a 3-2 thriller against MLS side in the Campeones Cup Aug. 14, then turned around and won 1-0 game against Morelia in Liga MX action over the weekend.

Despite conceding possession, America made use of possession it had. And in the 83rd minute, it took the lead from an individual piece of magic from Ibargüen.

The Colombian striker got the ball near midfield and dribbled towards goal. He evaded Tigres defender Hugo Ayala before letting it rip. Tigres ‘keeper Guzmán got a hand on the shot but it had enough power to still get to the back of the net.

America was on their way to celebrating a trip to the Leagues Cup Final but Tigres, pushing for the equalizer, found it via an America own goal.

In the waning moments of the match, Tigres’ Luis Quiñónes sent a cross into the box trying to find a teammate, instead, his cross-connected with American defender Bruno Valdez who’s headed clearance went into his own net.

The full-time whistle blew seconds after America’s second own goal, sending the game to penalties, which saw Tigres come out on top.

That these two teams went to penalties isn’t new for them. Both sides faced off in the Campeón de Campeones, a match between the Liga MX winners of the Apertura and Clausura.

In that match, America prevailed over Tigres in penalties 6-5. That Tigres won this time around in penalties isn’t some sort of payback, however.

“I can’t take it like that because it’s different circumstances. This was a match to go to the final, as opposed to playing in a final,” Tigres head coach Ricardo Ferretti said.

“When we lost to them in penalties is much more hurtful than what I think they’re going through right now.”

As luck would have it, America gets a chance at some sort of revenge as both of these sides will face off in Liga MX league action.

For Tigres, however, they move on to the first edition of the Leagues Cup Final. They’ll face Cruz Azul Sept. 18 in Las Vegas for the right to be called the first Leagues Cup Champion.