Tigres’ win ends Pumas’ Liguilla hopes & keeps them close to León
After a disappointing week for Pumas and a perfect week for Tigres, they faced each other on what appeared to be one of the most attractive games of the weekend. The home team wanted to get revenge on UNAM for booting them from last season’s playoffs. While Pumas had little aspirations for the Liga MX Liguilla but it was a must to win this game if they wanted to keep any hopes alive.
The game started with very poor soccer on the away team’s part with zero creativity and no motivation. Then, UANL began to continually attack Alfredo Saldivar’s goal getting closer to score the first goal of the evening. It was a matter of time before Tigres’ offense scored the first goal. Los Felinos did it in the 27th minute on a series of bounces inside the penalty box generated from a corner kick. The goal by Julian Quiñones was his second of the season, and the first half ended with the northern team up by one goal.
UNAM started the second half with more intensity, which gave the appearance that they snap out of the lackluster first half play. However, an early second-half goal in the 51st minute by Quiñones, his second of the game, killed all of Pumas’ hopes to tie the game. This goal caused the Mexico City team to become unmotivated and fall back trying not to let Tigres score the third goal.
The team led by Bruno Mario did not show anything else the rest of the half, with players walking with their face down and not sprinting behind the ball. UANL had a lot of clear opportunities that could have ended in the net, but Alfredo Saldivar saved his team from more humiliation. The game finished in a sluggish manner for the away team and with excitement for the home team who had added another 3 points placing them in second place of the table.
This game killed all hopes of Pumas going to the playoffs and showing how much the team is hurting physically and mentally. Tigres, on the other hand, has the Liguilla and the CONCACAF Champions League in their future. Pumas will be facing Tijuana next weekend in Mexico City while UANL will be going to Puebla to battle Lobos BUAP.
