San Nicolás de los Garza, México – Tigres UANL triumphed over FC Cincinnati with a decisive 3-1 win on March 11, 2025, securing their spot in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup 2025 with an aggregate score of 4-2. The match took place at the Estadio Universitario, where the atmosphere was electric as Tigres sought to capitalize on their home advantage.
The match began with Cincinnati making the first move, scoring the opening goal just 18 minutes in. Evander Da Silva found the net after receiving a pass from Luca Orellano, putting the visitors up 1-0. The Cincinnati fans erupted, hoping for another upset against the Mexican powerhouse.
Tigres, led by their new head coach, Guido Pizarro, wasn’t about to back down. They needed to respond quickly, and they did just what was required. After some intense back-and-forth action, Ozziel Herrera brought them back to level terms with a powerful header in the 64th minute, courtesy of Juan Brunetta’s precise cross. The goal not only tied the match but also shifted momentum back to Tigres, evening the aggregate score at 2-2.
Building on their momentum, Tigres took the lead just five minutes later when Brunetta scored again, this time with a right-footed shot from inside the box. This effort placed the home team firmly in control, with the score now 2-1 on the night, and 3-2 on aggregate. The atmosphere at Estadio Universitario was electric as home fans sensed victory.
Their substitute, Nicolás Ibáñez, capped off the dominant performance by scoring Tigres' final goal of the match just minutes later, sealing the score at 3-1. This goal followed another impressive setup by Fernando Gorriarán, with Ibáñez finding space within the box to secure his third goal of the tournament. The validation of his initial goal, which had been flagged offside, added to the drama of the evening.
With the final whistle, Tigres secured not only the win but also their advancement to the next round, where they await the winner of the matchup between LA Galaxy and CS Herediano.
The victory holds substantial significance for Tigres, marking their strong performance following their recent form, which saw them defeat Gallos Blancos 1-0 just days prior. Pizarro’s tactics and leadership have positively impacted the team, raising hopes for another shot at the Champions title. After the match, he expressed confidence about the team’s direction, saying, "La capitanía ya se lo hice saber, tengo 3 capitanes... necesitamos hacer un partido inteligente."
Player Juan Brunetta echoed the coach's sentiments, stating, "El equipo está bien, el equipo está fuerte, convencido de lo que quiere... para dar un paso más, avanzar contra un rival difícil" indicating the team's readiness to tackle any obstacle they encounter on their path to glory.
While Tigres celebrate, Cincinnati leaves with lessons learned. They showed resilience but couldn't handle the barrage put forth by Tigres after their initial goal. Overall, the night belonged to Tigres and their supporters, who witnessed their team roar back to life.
Next up for Tigres UANL is the anticipation of their quarterfinal match. Fans are eager to see who they will face next and whether this renewed energy can carry them through the tournament. The celebrations at Estadio Universitario will undoubtedly continue, with hopes high for another championship run.