In a thrilling encounter that showcased the intensity of Mexican football, Tigres UANL triumphed over their fierce rivals Monterrey in the 140th edition of El Clásico Regio, winning 2-1 at the Estadio Universitario on April 12, 2025. The match was marked by a dramatic comeback from Tigres, who found themselves trailing at halftime but rallied in the closing minutes to secure a vital victory.
The clash began with both teams showing signs of caution, but it quickly escalated into a heated battle. The first half ended without any goals, despite several scoring opportunities. Tigres’ Juan Brunetta came close to breaking the deadlock in the sixth minute, striking the crossbar with a long-range effort. Uriel Antuna also missed a clear chance in the 22nd minute, failing to convert a rebound after a save from Monterrey's goalkeeper Esteban Andrada.
As the second half kicked off, the momentum shifted dramatically. Diego Lainez committed a foul on Nelson Deossa, resulting in a penalty for Monterrey, which was expertly converted by Sergio Ramos in the 45th minute. This goal not only gave Monterrey the lead but also led to Lainez's expulsion, leaving Tigres with ten men on the field.
Despite being a man down, Tigres refused to back down. However, as the game progressed, tensions boiled over. Referee Gato Ortiz issued multiple red cards, sending off Germán Berterame and Oliver Torres from Monterrey for dissent and a reckless challenge, respectively. The situation escalated further when Tigres’ coach Guido Pizarro and Monterrey's assistant coach Germán Lux were both expelled after a heated exchange that culminated in Pizarro slapping Lux as they made their way to the locker rooms. This altercation required intervention from players and even police to calm the situation.
With the match seemingly slipping away, Tigres found new life in the dying minutes. Sebastián Córdova, who has been rumored to be transfer-listed, equalized for Tigres in the 90th minute with a low shot from inside the box. The stadium erupted as the fans celebrated the unexpected turnaround.
Just when it seemed the match would end in a draw, Nicolás Ibáñez scored the winning goal for Tigres in the fifth minute of stoppage time, completing the comeback and sealing a memorable victory. With this win, Tigres climbed to fourth place in the Liga MX standings with 29 points, while Monterrey remained in ninth with 22 points.
This match exemplified the fierce rivalry between the two clubs, not just in terms of the scoreline but also in the passion displayed on the pitch. The five expulsions, including key players and coaching staff, highlighted the intensity and high stakes of El Clásico Regio.
Post-match, Tigres coach Guido Pizarro expressed pride in his team’s resilience, stating, "We showed great character to come back and win. The team believed until the end." Meanwhile, Ramos, who played a pivotal role for Monterrey, reflected on the match, saying, "We had control, but we let it slip away. We must learn from this experience."
Looking ahead, Tigres will face Pachuca on April 15, 2025, while Monterrey will host América on April 16, 2025. Both teams will need to regroup following this intense encounter as they vie for crucial points in the closing stages of the season.
