Tigres UANL continued their strong performance in Liga MX with a noteworthy 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul at the Estadio Universitario, commonly referred to as 'el Volcán,' on February 15, 2025. This match marked the seventh round of the Clausura 2025 tournament and proved pivotal for both teams as they strive for positioning near the top of the league.
Diego Lainez opened the scoring for Tigres shortly after the halftime break, netting a stunning goal from outside the area just under two minutes after the second half commenced. His strike exemplified the attacking prowess Tigres has displayed throughout the season.
Only five minutes later, Joaquim Pereira doubled Tigres' lead with a powerful header during a corner kick, taking advantage of Cruz Azul's defensive lapses. Tigres showed great energy and commitment, continuing to pressure their opponents effectively.
Despite the challenges, Cruz Azul, under the stewardship of coach Vicente Sánchez, managed to mount pressure as the match unfolded. Ignacio Rivero managed to pull one back for the visiting team during stoppage time, scoring with finesse inside the area after being set up by Georgios Giakoumakis. This last-minute goal showcased Cruz Azul's relentless pursuit of equality, even when time was running out.
The match had its share of drama, highlighted by the controversial sending-off of Tigres forward Nicolás Ibáñez. He received his second yellow card at the 65th minute after the referee consulted the VAR and deemed his challenge excessively aggressive. This incident left Tigres down to ten men for the remaining twenty-five minutes of the match and introduced significant tension as Cruz Azul sought to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
Cruz Azul's relentless pursuit saw them gaining possession and pressing forward, yet they struggled to break down Tigres’ defensive organization, which held firm even after the red card. The tactical adjustments made by Tigres manager Veljko Paunović demonstrated their adaptability, as they shifted to manage their lead with disciplined defending and counter-attacking play.
Cruz Azul had several attempts to equalize but were thwarted by solid performances from the Tigres defense and goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán, who dealt well with the pressure, including some key saves.
With this victory, Tigres secured the second spot on the Liga MX table, trailing behind América and León, both of whom also accumulated 16 points but had yet to complete their matches for the week. Conversely, this was Cruz Azul's first defeat under Sánchez, who previously enjoyed three straight wins and one draw, indicating the importance of this clash as both teams fight for playoff positioning.
There were also several opportunities missed by both teams, with Cruz Azul coming agonizingly close to equalizing on multiple occasions. Tempers flared, and physicality marked the match, ensuring no one had it easy on the pitch.
Overall, this match showcased both Tigres' ability to respond to adversity and the challenges Cruz Azul face as they continue to adjust to their new managerial approach. The outcome not only reflects the current state of both teams but also sets the tone for the remainder of the tournament.