Tigres fight back for draw with Cruz Azul in CONCACAF semi
Tigres' defender Juan Jose Purata celebrates after scoring the equalizer against Tigres UANL in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday. (Julio Cesar AGUILAR)
A header from Juan Jose Purata six minutes from the end gave Tigres UANL a 1-1 draw at home to Cruz Azul in their all-Mexican semi-final, first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Wednesday.
Despite the late leveller, six-time CONCACAF champions Cruz Azul will have the advantage heading into next Thursday's second-leg in Mexico City, having grabbed a potentially crucial away goal.
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In a game of few chances at the Estadio Universitario in Monterrey, the first shot on target did not arrive until the 55th minute when Cruz Azul's Ignacio Rivero fired a free-kick straight at Tigres keeper Nahuel Guzman.
But the contest came alive in the final third of the game.
The visitors went ahead in the 68th minute when Alexis Gutierrez broke down the left and fired over a cross which Angel Sepulveda cleverly headed back to Rodolfo Rotondi, who drilled home.
But Tigres, winners in 2020, gave themselves a lifeline when Juan Brunetta floated a free-kick into the box which defender Purata met with a powerful header that flashed past Kevin Mier for the equalizer.
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The other semi-final, to be played on Thursday, is an all-MLS affair with the Vancouver Whitecaps hosting Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in their first-leg.
The game at the 54,000-capacity BC Place is sold out with both teams looking to reach the final of the competition for the first time.
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