Tigres UANL showed their cunning and determination to secure a valuable 1-1 draw at Cruz Azul's home ground, putting them one step closer to the grand final of the 2025 Apertura tournament. This result further strengthens their position in the standings. position in the standings.

A result achieved thanks to the goal by Argentinian Angel Correa, capitalizing on a serious error by the Cruz Azul defense. This allowed them to reach the Estadio Olimpico Universitario and challenge the Cementeros, who fell into the trap and were never able to recover in this match.

With this score, the Cementeros are now obligated to win by any margin, or else they will have finished another season empty-handed due to their inability to overcome a Tigres side that was expected to settle for a draw in the first leg.

A first half without fanfare

Both Cruz Azul and Tigres, except for the first two minutes of the first half, engaged in a lackluster duel, with little to show for control of the action. The match didn't feel like a playoff game, especially since La Maquina lacked the creativity to break down the visiting team.

The changes they made Coach Nicolas Larcamon's introduction of Jesus Orozco, Jorge Sanchez, and Omar Campos didn't provide the necessary attacking impetus, leaving Jose Paradela, Ignacio Rivero, and Gabriel Fernandez isolated up front. To make matters worse, Jeremy Marquez had his worst game, which Tigres capitalized on to maintain a draw that favored them throughout. Tigres showed their experience in the second half. In the second half, Cruz Azul improved significantly with the introduction of Lorenzo Faravelli and Carlos Rotondi, allowing Rivero to push forward more and Gabriel Fernandez to be less isolated. However, just when they were pressing hardest, a defensive error allowed Argentine Angel Correa to score the go-ahead goal, which could prove decisive in the grand final.

Tigres, with Cruz Azul trailing on the scoreboard, looked to exploit long balls to surprise the Cementeros' defense and came very close to increasing their lead, but then came the penalty for a handball by Farfan, which Gabriel Fernandez converted to tie the game 1-1.

Thus, the Cementeros will have to go all out and take risks next Saturday or say goodbye to the championship.

Cruz Azul vs. Tigres, follow the match in detail

The details of the match step by step, which remains 1-1 at the moment.

90+7 minute: The match ends with a 1-1 score, forcing Cruz Azul to win to advance to the final, while Tigres would be the finalists with this result.

90+2 minute: Yellow card for Jesus Garza of Tigres

89th minute: Ahhhh, Angel Correa misses the winning goal with a shot over the crossbar. The score remains 1-1.

86th minute: Yellow card for Ignacio Rivero of Cruz Azul.

81st minute: Substitution for Tigres, Jesus Angulo comes off and Juan Vigon comes on. The score remains 1-1.

Cruz Azul substitution: Luka Romero comes in, Jose Paradela goes out

75th minute: Goooool! Gabriel “Toro” Fernandez scores the penalty, leaving Nahuel Guzman rooted to the spot as he tries to guess correctly, and the game is tied 1-1.

74th minute: Penalty against Tigres for a handball by Farfan, and VAR is reviewing it. Cruz Azul almost scores.

71st minute: Another Cruz Azul attack with a header from Gabriel Fernandez that Nahuel Guzman controls.

69th minute: Cruz Azul substitution, Gonzalo Piovi comes in and Jesus Orozco goes out.

66th minute: Tigres substitution, Juan Sanchez Purata comes in and Juan Brunetta goes out.

65th minute: Tigres players Nahuel Guzman and Joaquim Pereira are booked.

63rd minute: Cruz Azul substitution, Jorge Sanchez goes out and Angel Sepulveda comes in.

61st minute: Goal for Tigres! A mistake by the Cruz Azul defense allows the Argentine Angel Correa to shoot from the left side and put the ball in the bottom corner. The Tigers are up 0-1.

58th minute: Carlos Rotondi headed the ball and Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman prevented the goal, keeping the score at 0-0.

55th minute: Ignacio Rivero couldn't convert Cruz Azul's second chance. The score remains 0-0.

52nd minute: Juan Brunetta missed a great opportunity to put Tigres ahead, shooting wide in front of Andres Gudino and then making a save to keep the score at 0-0.

48th minute: Cruz Azul's first real danger came from a shot by Lorenzo Faravelli that forced Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman into a good save.

The second half of Cruz Azul vs. Tigres kicks off, with Cruz Azul making two changes: Lorenzo Faravelli and Carlos Rotondi come on for Jeremy Marquez and Omar Campos. 45+4': The first half ends with the score 0-0. 39': Tigres make a substitution; Nicolas Ibanez leaves due to a muscle problem and Oziel Herrera enters. 31': Jeremy Marquez of Cruz Azul receives a yellow card. The first yellow card of the match, which remains 0-0. 25': The score remains 0-0, with both teams looking to capitalize on their game plans. Cruz Azul is looking to get behind the defense with long passes, while Tigres is holding firm in their own half. A very tight match.

Minute 15: The intensity of the match has dropped after a dominant start by Tigres. Both teams are sizing each other up, looking for an opening.

Minute 1: Gudinooooooo. Cruz Azul goalkeeper Andres Gudino denies Argentine Angel Correa a point-blank shot, and then Fernando Gorrarian hits the post on Tigres' first attack.

Cruz Azul and Tigres kick off the first leg of the Liga MX Apertura 2025 semifinals

The one who can make the difference for Tigres

Nahuel Guzman, Tigres' Argentine goalkeeper, can make the difference in the feline team's quest for a ticket to the final.

Cruz Azul with unwavering faith

After eliminating Chivas against all odds, Cruz Azul's faith can move mountains against Tigres.

Cruz Azul fans ask Angel Sepulveda not to leave the Cementeros

Cruz Azul fans asked Angel Sepulveda to stay with the team and not He emigrated to Chivas of Guadalajara, as has been rumored in recent days.

The eleven felines are ready for battle

Tigres also announced their starting eleven for the battle against Cruz Azul.

The eleven Cruz Azul players are ready

Cruz Azul announced their lineup with Jesus Orozco Chiquete starting in place of Gonzalo Piovi, Omar Campos in place of Carlos Rotondi, and Jorge Sanchez in place of Lorenzo Faravelli, with the intention of having more strength in defense and a faster counter-attack down the flanks.

The moment of Tigres' arrival at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario

Tigres are already at Ciudad Universitaria, home of Cruz Azul, to try to continue causing surprises in the playoffs for the Apertura 2025 title.

Cruz Azul players arrive at their home stadium

The Cementeros of La Maquina Celeste (Cruz Azul's nickname) are already at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario, looking for a result that will allow them to successfully face the second leg of the Liga MX semifinals.

Cruz Azul vs. Tigres stats

Starting at 7:00 PM Central Time (7:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PT), Cruz Azul will look to take the first step in the first leg of the semifinals against Tigres UANL in the 2025 Liga MX Apertura tournament at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario, where La Maquina Celeste has turned this emblematic venue into a true fortress with 25 matches unbeaten.