Tigres scrambled a 2-2 draw as Andre-Pierre Gignac scored twice to deny Chivas a win in the first leg of the 2017 Liga MX Clausura Final.
Alan Pulido’s 23rd minute opener ignited proceedings at the Estadio Universitario when the former felino punished his old team following a Nahuel Guzman error.
Chivas deserved credit for their first half play, but in truth, the hosts had offered little attacking threat as the match edged towards the halftime mark.
Chivas eventually reworked the ball into the box, where a Pulido shot was mishandled by Nahuel Guzman for Rodolfo Pizarro to fire in the 2-0.
Tigres tried to redeem themselves in the second half, but their best chance didn’t come until the 77th minute when Jesus Dueñas steered the ball into the post.
Just as Chivas started dreaming of victory, up popped Andre-Pierre Gignac. The Frenchman played a pivotal role, first connecting superbly with a cross from the left-hand side to put Tigres within one.
Just moments later, Gignac latched on to a Luis Alfonso “Chaka” Rodríguez ball to to guide the ball past the incoming Rodolfo Cota and earn the hosts an emphatic 2-2 draw.
Both teams will meet on Sunday, with the return leg taking place at the Estadio Chivas.