Thrilling Semifinal Spots Up for Grabs: Tigres vs. Necaxa in the Liguilla

The Liguilla advances with semifinal tickets still being handed out, leaving two slots up for grabs among four fierce contenders. In one key matchup, Tigres and Necaxa vie for the third and penultimate ticket. Under new management, the Tigres have adapted remarkably well to their coach, Guido Pizarro, who transitioned from player to manager. They’ve outpaced their quarter-final rivals by earning just two additional points. Meanwhile, Larcamón’s squad has capitalized on Diber Cambindo’s stellar season, which has been pivotal for the Rayos’ success. This clash was anticipated to be one of the tightest of the Liguilla, and the first leg certainly affirmed that.

Despite both teams having netted a combined 60 goals throughout the season, neither managed to alter the scoreboard, leaving Necaxa to miss the chance to secure a home-field advantage in the aggregate. Controversy wasn’t absent in this match either. Necaxa argued for a penalty after Ozziel Herrera’s handball in the box, and the referee’s decision to add 11 minutes of extra time, stretching to nearly 17 minutes, added fuel to the debates. To progress, Necaxa faces the daunting task of securing a victory at Tigres’ home ground.

Tigres Lineup: Nahuel Guzmán, Javier Aquino, Juan Sánchez Purata, Joaquim Pereira, Jesús Angulo, Rómulo Zwarg, Fernando Gorriarán, Juan Brunetta, Diego Lainez, Ozziel Herrera, Nicolás Ibáñez.

Necaxa Lineup: Ezequiel Unsain, Emilio Lara, Alexis Peña, Alejandro Mayorga, Kevin Rosero, Agustin Palavecino, Diego de Buen, Johan Rojas, José Paradela, Iván Rodríguez, and Diber Cambindo.