The Mexican domestic soccer season is over, and there was a sensational final fixture of the campaign enjoyed by fans. Tigres UANL and Guadalajara Chivas were both bidding for glory this term, with Chivas being the clear favorites in the Liga MX odds to claim success this season.
However, as is typically the case, soccer doesn’t follow the pattern it is meant to, and there was no shortage of thrills and spills throughout the two-legged final. You can catch up on the latest news from the Liga MX final in our Chivas vs Tigres UANL recap below.
Tight First Leg Between The Teams
The first leg between the two Mexican sides was staged on May 25, but there was little to separate Chivas and Tigres. Tigres had the home advantage for the first leg in the final, and there was a desperate nature to their game in the final stages, as there was a sense that they needed to pick up some kind of victory to defend in the return match.
However, despite attempting 14 shots in the match, Tigres managed to register just a single shot on target. It was an ill-tempered first clash between the sides, with seven yellow cards being shown, but the goalless draw meant that the Liga MX winners would be crowned in Guadalajara when the sides met for the second time.
Chivas Set As Huge Favorites
Ahead of the second leg between the sides on May 28, Chivas were listed as the massive +165 underdogs to claim victory in 90 minutes. Meanwhile, Tigres were priced up at +205, making them the outsider of the Liga MX picks.
The draw was the result in the first league, but a repeat result was considered an outside chance among bookmakers that allow wagers to bet on soccer, with the selection available at +190.
Tigres Raise Standard In Return Match
A pulsating return match in the Liga MX final was played out on Sunday, and the first half was all about the dominant nature of Chivas in the final third. Roberto Alvarado opened the scoring after eleven minutes, before the advantage was doubled just nine minutes later by Victor Guzman. By this stage, it appeared incredibly unlikely that the hosts would throw away the advantage in the Chivas vs Tigres UANL recap.
However, the tide of the game turned with 25 minutes remaining, as Tigres pulled a goal back from the penalty spot through Andre-Pierre Gignac. Bookies that allowed a bet on soccer leagues were then back to square one six minutes later, as Sebastian Cordova netted a dramatic equalizing goal.
Extra time was required in the final, but Chivas lacked fitness throughout the final period, as they looked increasingly tired throughout the additional half an hour. Tigres finally got the goal that they deserved to establish a 3-2 lead when Guido Pizarro netted with just ten minutes remaining. However, there was to be late drama, with Cordova sent off for Tigres, before Gilberto Sepulveda was given his marching orders in the third minute of injury time.
Historic Victory For Tigres
At the halfway stage, few would have given Tigres a chance of landing the Liga MX final. However, the character within the team was evident throughout the second leg, as they continued to create chances even when they were 2-0 down after 20 minutes. Cordova was the standout player throughout the playoffs, as he finished with six goals to take the Golden Boot. The fierce rivalry between Tigres vs Chivas always ignites the passion of soccer fans across Mexico.
It was a famous moment for the team, as they landed Liga MX for the eighth time in their history, while it was their first title since claiming Clausura glory in 2019. It was a thrilling Chivas vs Tigres UANL recap, and all attention will no swiftly turn to the 2023-24 season, which kicks off on July 21.
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