CONCACAF Champions Cup: Tigres, Cruz Azul draw to open semis

Field Level Media|published: Thu 24th April, 24:32 2025

Mar 4, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; A general view of the official game ball during the second half in the match between Tigres UANL and FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Juanjo Purata headed home the tying goal in the 84th minute, giving Tigres UANL a 1-1 draw with Cruz Azul on Wednesday in the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal series in San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico.

The second leg of the two-game, total-goal series is scheduled for May 1 in Mexico City. Cruz Azul currently hold the edge thanks to the away-goals tiebreaker.

Tigres pulled level thanks to a perfectly chipped free kick from Juan Brunetta. Purata ran in unmarked and powered home an 8-foot header.

In the 68th minute, Alexis Gutierrez beat a defender to a ball down the left flank and sent a cross to the middle. Angel Sepulveda headed the ball down for Carlos Rodolfo Rotondi, who connected with the bouncing pass with his right foot and drove in a 12-yard shot.

The second semifinal series begins Thursday when the Vancouver Whitecaps play host to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.

--Field Level Media

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