The most controversial moments | Tigres 1-1 Cruz Azul: First Leg Semifinal of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Full-Time

Join us for minute-by-minute coverage of the Tigres vs. Cruz Azul match in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Semifinal, including goals and more

End of the match

Everything will be decided from Mexico City.

Rotondi slipped

In a good position to hit it directly, but the grass played tricks on him and didn't allow him to get a good shot. Cruz Azul let the last one slip away.

3 added to the clock

Three more minutes on the clock

Tigres goal

Purata's header ends up in the net and the score is leveled.

Weeeeeeer

Mieeeeer saves again and the Machine is saved.

Ceeeeeerca Ibaaaaaaaañez

A shot from inside the box ends up in Mier's hands. Tigres comes close but can't convert.

They hurt each other

Lira's sweep ends up taking Rivero down.

Changes

Enter: Flores and Carioca

Exit: Lainez and Romulo

Great play and great definition

A Sepúlveda cross that was worth the entire goal, but also a shot from Rodo that made it impossible for Nahuel

Goooooooooooal of the Machine

Rotondi appeared at the right moment and Cruz Azul is already winning 1-0.

Cruz Azul is saved

Mier took too many risks and Córdova almost stole the ball from him in a dangerous area.

Cruz Azul begins to dominate

The minutes pass and the Machine looks better and better. Tigres are increasingly clueless.

In the hands of Nahuel

I shoot to the center without any major worries.

Free kick for the Machineeeeeee

Foul in an unbeatable position for the sky-blues.

The goal is not scored because of the players themselves.

The mistakes have been more important than the goalkeepers' mistakes, and it's the attackers' own errors that have kept us at zero so far.

What Sánchez failed to do

All alone in front of goal, he sent it over the crossbar. It was a foregone conclusion to Cruz Azul.

The second half started

The kick-off whistle blows and the action resumes.

We're going to break.

A 0-0 draw at the Volcano and we go to halftime.

Tigres missed it

Antuna and Brunetta went up against Lira, and it was the Cement midfielder who won the duel. It was the opportunity Tigres had been waiting for to make a difference, but Antuna didn't know what to do.

The Bull missed it

Fernández thought long and hard about finishing, and Lainez came along to put his foot in.

Sepúlveda is in pain

The Angel of Goal complains of a head injury and is slow to recover.

3' added to the clock

The referee says that three more minutes of this first half will be played.

Huge Aquinoooo

Felino's great tackle to deny Sepúlveda the goal. Cruz Azul had the most dangerous play of the first half, but Javier bravely dived to send it out for a corner.

It went to Lainez

Jorge Sánchez threatened to reject a cross that was headed for Diego, and that was more than enough to distract him and not leave him alone in front of the goal.

Yellow card for Rivero

A foul on Antuna leaves him in a bad state, and he has now received three yellow cards in the first 35 minutes.

Ceeeeeeeeerca Joachiiiiim

The Brazilian's header goes just over the opponent's goal. Tigres doesn't give up, but they lack precision.

Tigres well defended

Cruz Azul is looking to do damage, but the feline defense seems impervious. Pizarro's formation has paid off so far and looks extremely solid, at least defensively.

Dittaaaaaaaa

What a mistake by the Colombian when he tried to come out. Gorriarán stole the ball in the opponent's box, but misjudged it to his teammate, who couldn't finish. What could have been the first of the match!

Lainez stays on the field

Perhaps because of the warmth in his ankle, he hasn't felt the effects yet, but by halftime, the winger's future could be decided.

It is usually Lainez

The Mexican twisted his ankle and everything points to at least a first-degree sprain.

Close to the Tigers

A header from a corner kick just wide of the opponent's goal. Nothing for anyone yet.

The Stitch Angle was saved

The bull's dangerous move on an attempted bicycle kick, where the leg just missed the feline full-back's head. Cruz Azul arrives but can't find a way to do any damage.

Nothing

A cross shot by Lainez did not go any further.

Free kick for Tigres

Foul in an advantageous position for the Felines.

Yellow card for Sepúlveda

A late collision with Joachim, and while the penalty was somewhat harsh, it's clear the referee won't let this game get out of hand.

Cruz Azul attentive to the counterattack

A couple of times the Machine showed alertness to the theft and pressured from the outset to provoke the error. These were quite intense minutes at the start.

Tigres' individualities begin to weigh

The man-for-man talent displayed by the Felinos is becoming more and more evident. It's not as impressive as a team, but with the flashes of Brunetta, Antuna, and Lainez, it's starting to be enough.

Tigres begin to wake up

The minutes pass, and through a very vertical game, the Felinos are looking to surprise. Antuna is very active at the moment.

Yellow for Purata

A foul that cut short Toro Fernández's progress and immediately earned him a warning.

Cruz Azul begins to impose conditions

The first few minutes, and La Máquina gradually takes possession. Tigres falls back slightly.

The meeting begins

The kickoff blows and the ball rolls. Tigres hosts Cruz Azul for the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Semifinals, and you can enjoy the live stream of the match with AS Mexico's live coverage of the match.

Match Stakes: Tigres’ Home Fortress vs Cruz Azul’s Offensive Firepower

We’re examining the context at El Volcán, where Tigres UANL, led by Veljko Paunović, enters with momentum. Their Concacaf Champions Cup journey included a 3-1 aggregate win over Real Estelí, a 4-2 triumph against FC Cincinnati, and a 3-2 victory over LA Galaxy, with Ibáñez (3 goals) and Diego Lainez (1 goal, 2 assists) shining, per ESPN. In Liga MX Clausura 2025, Tigres finished fourth, securing a 2-1 win over Pumas on April 20, but face a packed schedule with the Clásico Regio against Monterrey on April 26. Javier Aquino’s likely return, as noted on X, bolsters their squad, though Paunović may rotate with Guido Pizarro and Juan Brunetta pivotal. Tigres’ six-game home winning streak at El Volcán makes them formidable.

Tigres UANL vs Cruz Azul Sets Stage for Concacaf Final

We’re concluding by underscoring the stakes of this April 23, 2025, fixture at El Volcán. Tigres UANL aims to leverage their home dominance to gain an edge, while Cruz Azul seeks a vital away goal to tilt the aggregate tie. The winner will face Inter Miami or Vancouver Whitecaps in the June 1 final, with global tournament berths on the line.

Here’s what you need to know about Tigres UANL vs Cruz Azul:

• Match Overview: April 23, 2025, at Estadio Universitario, 10:00 PM EDT; Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal first leg.
• U.S. Viewing: FOX Deportes, Fubo (free trial), ViX, YouTube (VPN required).
• Mexico Viewing: Azteca 7, Tubi, Fox Sports, TUDN (pending).
• Key Players: Ibáñez, Lainez (Tigres); Sepúlveda, Bogusz (Cruz Azul).
• Stakes: Winner advances to June 1 final, earns 2029 Club World Cup spot.