Tigres dominated the game as Toluca failed to make any kind of impact. They were totally lost and everything will be on the line at home on Sunday. Tigres was aggressive and will need to maintain that
and a 1-0 scoreline as they head to what is known as “El Infierno” as they look for the ninth Liga MX title.
Even before the game started the environment was electrifying as the fans at “El Volcan” were loud as they cheered on their team. Screams of “La U!” “La U!” “La U!” rang out for all of Nuevo Leon to hear.
The home side got all the action started within seconds as Angel Correa got a chance as he made his way towards the ball but Hugo Gonzalez got to it first. A minute later Toluca looked for their opening chance as Jesus Gallardo sent a pass into the box intended for Paulinho but the Tigres defense was able to defend the ball out before it reached the Portuguese. A few minutes later Correa was fouled outside of the box and Diego Lainez took the shot but the ball went just over the crossbar. 15 minutes later and the game was all Tigres as Toluca was unable to get comfortable the first bit of the match. Goalkeeper Hugo Sanchez had to make multiple stops in the first half to keep the clean sheet. The first stop came in the 18th minute when Jesus Garza took a shot at goal that Gonzalez had to send over the crossbar. A minute later Gonzalez had to make another save from Correa. 30 minutes later Correa was fouled outside of the box and Lainez stepped up to take the shot that Gonzalez sent up and over the bar. His defense was able to get the ball out of danger on the following corner. As the first half came to a close Toluca had attempted to make their way up the field but any attempt was broken down. The Diablos had a difficult time stringing passes together and their star forward and midfielder were nowhere to be seen. The visitors were more than happy for halftime as they had a lot to work on in the second half. In 45 minutes Toluca was unable to register any shots while Tigres had seven of them and all of their chances up top were dangerous.
To start the second half neither of the teams made any changes to their lineups. This was confusing for Toluca as they needed a change but Antonio Mohamed decided to wait. Just like the first half, Tigres opened with a bang.
Hugo Gonzalez had been a hero in the first half but one mistake cost it all for them. As he attempted to restart play from the back, he sent a pass to Lainez instead of his teammate and the winger took advantage. He passed the ball to an open Correa who made his way inside the box and sent the ball into the back of the net. Gonzalez quickly went from hero to villain with one grave error. On the next play Toluca was close to equalizing as Jesus Angulo took a shot at goal as he sent the ball between Nahuel Guzman’s open legs but Garza was able to kick the ball out of danger before it crossed the line. Just like that, Tigres was saved. It wasn’t until the 57th minute that Mohamed decided to make some changes. Angulo and Bruno Mendez were subbed off for Robert Morales and Diego Barbosa. Taking out Angulo was a questionable decision as it did not make any sense. Yes, Angulo had some difficulty on the field but so did everyone else and he was the one who had their most dangerous play of the night. Mohamed can be put on the list of coaches who made mistakes in the final. By the 60th minute Toluca had yet to break through the Tigres defense. The home side was holding up well as their defense was unbreakable even though they had one moment of weakness in the beginning of the half. It wasn’t until the 71st minute when Guido Pizarro made his first change of the night. Nicolas Ibañez came on for André-Pierre Gignac who might have seen his last game at “El Volcan” as rumors have swirled of his retirement even though he has six months left in his contract.
In the 69th minute Barbosa found himself with a shot from distance that went over the crossbar after his teammates found themselves with no open angel. A few minutes later Mohamed made another change as he brought on Helinho for Paulinho hoping the Brazilian would be the spark the team desperately needed. Minutes later Toluca did have a big chance when Morales had a big chance at goal but the ball went over the crossbar after a pass from Castro. Minutes later Tigres made another change as Juan Brunetta was subbed out for Uriel Antuna. Antuna was supposed to be an impact signing for Tigres but so far he has been a bust as he had, up to that point, not had any minutes in the liguilla. 90 seconds later Tigres were dealt some bad news as Pizarro had to make an unexpected change as Angulo was subbed off for Javier Anquino as Angulo was seen limping of the field and one of the medical assistants had to help him to the bench. As the game headed into stoppage time it was evident that Toluca was frustrated with how the game had gone. Morales then made a big mistake as frustration boiled over and he kicked Joaquim Henrique in his private area. The action did not have to go to VAR as the referee saw it happen and gave Morales a direct red card. Morales will now miss the final game at home where his teammates will attempt to make a comeback to defend their title.
Toluca was nowhere to be seen as Tigres dominated the game. The home side did not ease their foot off the gas pedal as they had many chances to seal the deal all game long. While Hugo Gonzalez did make an expensive error, if not for him the scoreline would have been different. With a slender lead, Tigres will now travel to “El Infierno” where Toluca will do everything in their power to be crowned bicampeones while Tigres will do everything they can to make sure Gignac leaves with another trophy.
