Uruguayan coach Sebastián ‘Loco’ Abreu’s humble Tijuana defeated Argentine world champion Ángel Correa’s Tigres 3-0 to put one foot in the semifinals of the Mexican Apertura.
In a duel that concluded in the early hours of Thursday morning, Central Mexican time, the Xolos de Tijuana surprised the favored Tigres, second in the table in the regular phase, with goals from Kevin Castañeda, Moroccan Mourad El Guezouani and Gilberto Mora.
Tijuana resists, hits and sentences
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Tigres, led by Correa, had possession of the ball in the first half and repeatedly stepped into the box.
However, they lacked the punch and it was the locals who opened the scoring with a right-footed goal by Castañeda from outside the area.
In the second half, Tijuana kept their defense in order and in the 55th minute extended their lead with a header by El Ghezouani, assisted by Castañeda.
Abreu’s team, seventh in the standings in the regular phase, went for more and in the 71st minute increased the difference to 3-0 with a left-footed shot by Gilberto Mora, the most promising youngster in Mexican soccer, off a pass from Argentine Domingo Blanco.
Xolos reach the semifinals
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The result has put Tijuana in a strong position to advance to the last eight.
On Saturday, in the second leg in Monterrey, home of Tigres, they will eliminate their rival if they win, draw or lose by two goals or less.
Two hours earlier, Spaniard Sergio Canales scored a goal and added an assist to give Rayados de Monterrey a 2-0 win over America.
In a duel in which they went from strength to strength, the Rayados, led by Spaniard Sergio Ramos, defended admirably and moved closer to the semifinal, to which they will advance if they defeat América on Saturday, draw or lose by one goal.
Toluca comes from behind in Juarez
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The only winning visitor in the first leg of the quarterfinal first leg was Toluca, a 1-2 winner over Juarez FC.
After Juárez took the lead with a goal by Colombian Jesús Murillo, Toluca dominated and confirmed it with goals by Antonio Briseño and Portuguese Paulinho.
This Thursday, Cruz Azul will visit Chivas de Guadalajara.
With information from EFE
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