2017 Apertura Liguilla - Xolos 0, Tigres 2: Highlights and box score

Tijuana was unable to recreate the magic they found against Monarcas Morelia, losing to Tigres 2-0 and setting up what will be an exciting final between Tigres and Chivas. Javier Aquino and Jurgen Damm were the goalscorers for Tigres.

In the second minute, Henry Martin made a good run down the left flank into the box, however he was pulled down with no call. A minute later, Martin got on the end of a nice bit of skill from Milton Caraglio, but his shot went just wide.

In the 13th minute, Caraglio got a header on frame that Nahuel Guzman made an absolutely fantastic save on.

The first half was a physical affair, with fouls galore. Both Guido Rodriguez and Damian Perez were shown yellow cards for hard fouls. Andre-Pierre Gignac was also shown a yellow card, however it was for simulation. He was uncharacteristically quiet during the first half, being largely held in check by Tijuana’s 21 year old center back Hiram Munoz.

In the 48th minute, Guido Rodriguez was shown his second yellow card for a tackle from behind on Jesus Duenas just outside of the box.

Xolos would fight valiantly, however in the 63rd minute disaster struck. Gignac backheeled a pass that deflected off of a Xolos player to Javier Aquino. Aquino was off to the races and hit a top shelf blast over Gibran Lajud that sealed Xolos’ fate.

In the 83rd minute, Tigres had an opportunity to extend their lead on a two on one breakaway, but the shot went wide of the net after Gibran Lajud came far off of his line to cut down the angle. Andre-Pierre Gignac did suffer a shoulder injury on the play after he fell awkwardly but he was able to return.

In stoppage time, Jurgen Damm added another goal at the death, beating Lajud with a hard, low shot to the goalkeeper’s left.

Try as they might, Xolos were unable to pressure Tigres like they had in the first half and Tigres were able to advance by an aggregate score of 4-0.

Xolos: Gibran Lajud; Carlos Vargas, Hiram Munoz, Damian Perez (Luis Chavez, 58’), Juan Carlos Nunez; Guido Rodríguez, Joe Corona, Victor Malcorra; Aviles Hurtado (Paul Arriola, 70’), Milton Caraglio, Henry Martin (Juan Martin Lucero, 65’)

Tigres: Nahuel Guzman; Alberto Acosta (Luis Advincula, 46’), Juninho, Hugo Ayala, Luis Rodriguez (Jurgen Damm, 82’); Guido Pizarro, Jesus Duenas; Javier Aquino, Lucas Zelarayan (Francisco Meza, 46’), Ismael Sosa; Andre-Pierre Gignac

Scoring: Xolos - None; Tigres - Javier Aquino (63’), Jurgen Damm (90+1’)

Disciplinary: Xolos - Guido Rodriguez (Yellow - 6’, Red - 48’), Damian Perez (Yellow - 32’), Joe Corona (Yellow - 85’); Tigres - Andre-Pierre Gignac (Yellow - 42’), Hugo Ayala (Yellow - 70’)