Tigres and Xolos split points in Tijuana
In a hotly tempered contest in the aptly named Estadio Caliente, Tigres and Xolos split points in week 9 LigaMX action. Tigres was coming off 3 straight ties in league action, good enough for 6th overall in the league table. While Xolos lost a tight contest against Necaxa before the international break and were looking to leave their mid-table status. Today’s match would also mark the much-awaited debut of Diego Reyes with Tigres.
Tigres were knocking at the door early with Andre Pierre Gignac drawing the attention of the Xolos defense and finding space for a cutting Lucas Zelarayán. Zelarayán would have his attempt blocked by Tijuana’s keeper Manuel Lajud to keep the score even at zero.
The score wouldn’t stay zero for long as Zelarayán would get his first goal for the season at the 32nd minute. The Argentine launched a strike around 10 yards away from the box that dipped around the Xolo’s keeper and made it 1-0 for the visiting team.
Tempers began to flare after the goal with Tigres’ Luis Quinones receiving a yellow card for a foul in midfield and then a red card for arguing with the referee. Gignac would also receive a yellow card for the heated exchange. Tigres would have to play a man down for the rest of the game.
Unsurprisingly, Tuca Ferreti would join the red card trend and a few minutes after the 2nd half began he would be ejected from the game for complaining to the referees. Tigres would not find themselves a man down for long as Aldo Cruz would receive a red card after a VAR review in the 56th minute.
Tigres had a chance to seal the game on a counterattack in the 87th minute. Gignac received a long pass on the right side of the field and passed the ball to Enner Valencia on the other side of the box. Valencia would strike the ball at goal but Xolos’ Lajud stood his ground and deflected the ball. The game would remain 1-0 with 3 minutes to go.
The night would end in disappointment for Tigres when a foul in the penalty area was called in the 91st minute. Miller Bolaños tied the game after beating Nahuel Guzmán at goal.
The result marks the 4th straight tie for Tigres in league action. The team from Monterrey will have no time to rest as they will face Cruz Azul midweek in Las Vegas, Nevada to decide the inaugural champions of the Leagues Cup. Xolos should be happy with the result after being down for most of the game. Pachuca will be the Xolos’ next opponent. Tijuana will need to rack up points quickly if they intend to make post season play.
