Tigres UANL from Mexico have reached the finals of the Copa Libertadores. They nullified a 1-2 deficit from the first leg and beat Internacional 3-1 at home. This sets up two meetings with River Plate and the chance to be the first Mexican club to ever win the competition.
French striker André-Pierre Gignac gave his Tigres the lead last night. His team will play for the Copa Libertadores title.
Last night’s success was a deserved one, as the Brazilians from Porto Alegre defended in a dreadful fashion all game long. It took Tigres until the 18th minute to get the first goal, new signing André-Pierre Gignac headed home a cross from the right which was sent into the area by Jürgen Damm. Inter left him too much space and a striker of his caliber is always going to capitalize.
The 2-0 goal was absolutely comical for a Libertadores semifinal. Geferson’s touch deflected the ball over the head of goalkeeper Alisson and into his own net. It wasn’t even Tigres that beat Internacional in those moments, it was the Brazilians themselves. On top of it all, the goal came right before halftime, making it even tougher for the visitors.
While they had the chance to regroup for 15 minutes, they must have somehow missed that opportunity. Coming out of the dressing rooms, we continued to see the same as before. In the 51st minute, Tigres got awarded a penalty, but former Inter striker Rafael Sóbis’ attempt was saved by Alisson. Six minutes later, the goal came. Uruguayan defensive midfielder Egidio Arévalo scored with a beautiful flying header, again assisted by Damm. This third goal put Tigres into full control, which they would never lose again. While the Brazilians had a few chances, they never got past Nahuel Guzmán.
When they finally did one minute from the end through Lisandro López who made it 3-1 and you expected final desperation, none of that happened. It was the Mexicans who had the final chances, even a disallowed goal by Gignac that would have made it four.
The bottom line: Tigres UANL will play the first final at home despite being the higher seed than River. That’s simply the rule which wants to see the trophy being awarded in South America instead of Mexico. River Plate themselves will play at the Club World Cup next December in Japan, whatever the outcome of the final will be.
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