The Monterrey team came close to scoring in the locker room with a header from Sebastián Córdova in the 40th second. Goalkeeper Matt Freese saved the ball with both hands and complained angrily to his centre-backs about their lack of concentration.
Despite Tigres’ slight dominance, New York City looked dangerous every time they got up front. In the 4th minute, the visitors put together a great play started by Keaton Parks, continued by Santiago Rodríguez and finished by Alonso Martínez, whose shot forced Nahuel Guzmán to dive to avoid the surprise.
After fifteen minutes, Tigres’ pressure paid off. It all started with a violent shot from Carioca that forced goalkeeper Freese to ‘spit’ the ball out. The university team regained possession and the Brazilian once again crossed for Guido Pizarro’s dry shot at the far post for 1-0.
But three minutes later, Jesús Angulo lost the ball near the penalty area when trying to play out, NYC recovered it and, without thinking much, Maxi Morález shot across the goal for the equalizer.
Tigres started the second half as they did at the start of the match. With Ozziel Herrera on the pitch, the felines came close to turning the score around with the shot from the newcomer that went very close to the far post.
In the 55th minute, Tigres wasted another great opportunity with a missed shot by Sebastián Córdova, who slipped when he tried to hit the ball when entering the area with the ball under control and the goal open.
Ozziel Herrera got his revenge shortly after with a corner kick in which he hit the post with his forehead, but a minute later, a poorly called foul in favor of Tigres caused a loss of the ball and NYC made the Monterrey team pay for their lack of decisiveness with a goal by Santiago Rodríguez and a flip.
The final 1-2 places the New Yorkers in the Quarterfinals and Tigres back home awaiting the resumption of the Liga MX Apertura 2024.
