The mystique of the Universitario Stadium was once again present in a night of Liguilla that promised drama and did not disappoint. In the first quarter-final of the Clausura 2026, the UANL Tigres pulled out all the stops to come from behind and beat Chivas Guadalajara 3-1, who, despite their multiple absences due to the World Cup, sold the defeat at a high price.
Guido Pizarro’s team demonstrated that, when it comes to the definitive phases, the feline fang continues to be the differential factor.
Playoff 2026: Tigres vs Chivas
🛡️🐯 The @ChireyMexico defensive play from the first leg of the Quarterfinals.
⚔️ Fighting for every disputed ball! pic.twitter.com/m9gag3CUeZ
– Club Tigres 🐯 (@TigresOficial) May 4, 2026
The match began with a surprise that chilled the Monterrey fans.
Just 11 minutes into the game, Ricardo Marín took advantage of a lapse in the home team’s back line, got past the Brazilian Rómulo and scored a left-footed goal to put the Rebaño Sagrado 1-0 up.
Gabriel Milito’s Chivas, who took the field without five of their regular starters (who are already on international duty with El Tri for the 2026 World Cup), seemed to be making a big impact with a high and suffocating pressure.
However, Tigres did not panic.
Although the first few minutes were marked by angry complaints about the refereeing that threw the team out of concentration, calm returned just before halftime.
In the 45th minute, following a corner kick, Jesus Angulo rose high to connect with a pinpoint header that made it 1-1 and completely changed the script of the match before going to the locker room.
The second half was a feline monologue.
Inspired by a masterful Fernando Gorriarán, Tigres settled the game in just three minutes of magic.
In the 52nd minute, the Uruguayan broke down the right flank and assisted Juan Brunetta, who made it 2-1.
Just three minutes later, in the 55th minute, Gorriarán again led a lethal counter-attack that ended at the feet of young Diego Sánchez, who made it 3-1 and made the “Volcán” explode.
Milito tried to react with offensive changes, but the Tigres’ structure remained impeccable, closing all spaces and leaving Guadalajara with the difficult mission of winning by two goals in the second leg.
Although Chivas have the advantage in the standings (which would give them a ticket in case of a draw on aggregate), overcoming Tigres seems to be an almost impossible mission.
The coin is in the air, but UANL ‘s roar can already be heard very close to the semifinals.
Filed under: Playoff Tigres vs Chivas
