Necaxa And Tigres UANL Battle To 0-0 Draw In Quarterfinal

The Liga MX quarterfinal clash between Necaxa and Tigres UANL on May 8, 2025, at Estadio Victoria in Aguascalientes ended in a tense 0-0 draw, leaving the series wide open for the second leg. With an impressive attendance of 20,641 fans, the atmosphere was electric as both teams fought hard for an advantage in this knockout stage of the tournament.

Necaxa, who finished the regular season in seventh place with 31 points, entered the match with high hopes. The team, managed by Nicolás Larcamón, boasted a solid record of 10 wins, one draw, and six losses. Despite the absence of their top scorer, Diber Cambindo, who had been recovering from a concussion suffered in Jornada 12, the Rayos were determined to capitalize on their home advantage.

Tigres UANL, on the other hand, was looking to bounce back after a disappointing exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup at the hands of Cruz Azul. The team had struggled on the road, recording two draws and four losses in their last six away matches. This game was crucial for Tigres, as they sought to break that negative trend.

The match kicked off with both sides testing the waters. Necaxa had the first significant chance when José Paradela unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, but it was saved comfortably by Tigres’ goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán. The home team continued to press, with shots from Pável Pérez and Kevin Rosero, but none could find the back of the net.

Tigres responded with their own attacks, led by the dynamic Diego Lainez. In the 85th minute, Lainez had a great opportunity to score, but his shot was saved again, keeping the score level. The tension mounted as both teams exchanged chances, with Necaxa's Ricardo Monreal and Alexis Peña also coming close.

The game reached a fever pitch in the dying moments, with both teams desperate to find a winner. In the 90'+6' minute, Kevin Rosero missed a header from close range, while Tigres’ Lainez had another opportunity in the 90'+11' minute, but his shot went wide. The match ended with neither side able to break the deadlock, leaving the fans on the edge of their seats.

As the final whistle blew, the players were left to ponder what could have been. The draw means that both teams will head into the second leg with everything still to play for. Historically, Necaxa and Tigres have met three times in Liguilla, with one victory for Necaxa, one draw, and a win for Tigres. The last time Necaxa eliminated Tigres was in the Invierno of '98, where they triumphed with a 4-0 home win and a 2-0 away victory.

Looking ahead, both teams will prepare for the return leg, where every moment will count. With the series tied at 0-0, the stage is set for an exciting conclusion to this quarterfinal matchup. Fans will be eagerly awaiting to see if Necaxa can leverage their home support once again or if Tigres will find a way to overcome their recent away struggles.

In the post-match comments, Necaxa’s coach Nicolás Larcamón expressed his satisfaction with the performance despite the missed opportunities. “We played well and created chances, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal,” he stated. Meanwhile, Tigres’ manager also acknowledged the difficulty of the match and emphasized the need for improvement in their next outing.

As the teams head back to training, both will focus on refining their strategies and enhancing their offensive capabilities. With the stakes high in the Liguilla, every goal will be vital as they vie for a place in the semifinals. The upcoming clash will be a test of resilience and determination for both squads.

In summary, the first leg of this quarterfinal tie has set the stage for a thrilling second leg, with the score tied at 0-0. Fans can expect a fiercely competitive match as both teams aim to secure their spot in the next round of the Liga MX playoffs. Who will seize the advantage in the return leg? Only time will tell.