TOMÁS BOY AND HIS CHIVAS OUTSHINE GIGNAC AND HIS BOYS 2-0

The stage was set for a magical night between the defending Liga MX champions Tigres and the winless Chivas of Guadalajara. Tigre’s striker, André-Pierre Gignac, was one goal away from becoming the clubs all-time leading scorer by surpassing Chivas’s skipper, Tomás Boy. Chivas were determined to put a stop to their losing streak by taking down the roaring Tigres.

Chivas started the match as the aggressor with multiple attacks and strong position of the ball. It only took nine minutes for the first goal, thanks to a corner kick from Isaac El Conejo Brizuela that found the head of Antonio Briseño and put the Rebaño up by a goal.

In the 23rd minute, Carlos Salcedo from the Universitarios received the first of two red cards in this intense competition. With a man advantage, the Chivas positioned themselves to take the win. However, Guadalajara was unable to take control in the last 20 plus minutes of the first half, and teams walked to the lockers with the local squad up in the scoreboard by the minimal margin.

Just like a Mexican Novela, the second half grew with drama and suspense. Inside Akron Stadium, emotions were high, and the crowd roared with excitement, tempers flared, all while Gignac was in search of his 105th goal. It wasn’t long before Tomás Boy had enough of the Tigres’ striker mocking him on every opportunity. The Chivas skipper lost his cool before being promptly ejected with a red card during the 64th minute while Gignac received only a yellow card.

The Felinos were energized and played like they were not down a man. They moved the ball up the field and had several attempts for the equalizer. Tuca Ferretti’s men took possession of the ball and made it difficult for Guadalajara to extend the lead towards the end of the game.

With only a few seconds left in stoppage time, Alan Pulido received a foul in the box awarding him a penalty kick. Pulido did not disappoint his fans and nailed a rifle shot down the left side of the goal.

Chivas goalkeeper, Antonio Rodriguez, said after the match, “we are meant for great things.” Tonight they showed the league and their fans that they can compete with the best. Up next for the team from Jalisco is a showdown against Los Camoteros in Puebla on Friday night which means that they will only have a few days to get ready. For their part, Tigres will travel to Mexico City to take on Pumas in La Batalla de Felinos next Sunday afternoon.