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Tigres Take Down LAFC to Reach CCL Promised Land

By Pedro Dorantes
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 23: Tigres UANL celebrates the championship win over Los Angeles FC during the CONCACAF Champions League final game at Exploria Stadium on December 23, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)

Exploria Stadium played host to the CONCACAF Champions League for one final time. LAFC and Tigres clashed in a stadium that remained empty and played for pride, glory, and a ticket to the Club World Cup.

Sealed Shut

Delicacies such as tiki-taka or box to box soccer were not a thing in Orlando as the game for the hardware was everything but that. Los Angeles kicked off the game with incredible high pressing, pushing Tigres into their own half. Nuevo Leon made a push forward with long balls off the foot of Nahuel Guzman, nonetheless, their intentions died in the final third. Eventually, the game got physical and choppy. Referee Mario Escobar seemed to leave his cards at the dressing room as, despite the fouls, CONCACAF’s signature style of play was left unpunished.

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While the game remained tough, Nuevo Leon slowly crumpled to Los Angeles’ pace, giving way to a couple of chances for the American club. Daniel Rossi and Carlos Vela found gaps but sent the ball off the crossbar, or, more commonly, were blocked by the opposing defense. First half was over and the score remained intact.

From Sealed Shut to Wide Open

Pace of play remained the same for the most part, however, Los Angeles took the initiative and went for the goal. Fast became faster and one-touch soccer was the norm once again for the black and gold. Tigres’ backline, however, didn’t crack. That lasted until the hour mark struck.

Marc-Anthony Kaye found space to lay a cross to the box. It was met by Rossi’s foot for a fitting one-touch finish. The Californian team was up by one at the 60th minute.

The American XI did not let off the gas. They still had control of ball possession and pace of play. Tigres’ only option was to rely on set pieces, That is exactly how Hugo Ayala leveled the score at the 71st minute.

Something Changed

Ayala’s goal was a big turning point in the match. LAFC had changed, their style didn’t but their intensity took a big tumble. They didn’t run as much; they didn’t arrive at 50/50 as soon as they did. L.A. didn’t even hit as hard as they used to. Bob Bradley’s team seemed content with playing extra time, Tigres, however, would have none of that.

Andre-Pierre Gignac had his only real chance to score near the end of the game and he sure took it, A rifle-like shot found the back of the net six minutes off the end to seal the deal.

Fourth time was the charm. Tigres are your 2020 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League champions.

“Put on a Face Mask and Stay Home”

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Perhaps no quote matches the feeling of winning a championship in 2020 like Ricardo Ferretti’s: “It’s a shame. We would have loved to celebrate with them (The fans). The title is for them but I’ll just like to ask them to put on a face mask and stay home.”

On to Qatar

Tigres will represent CONCACAF at the upcoming 2020 Club World Cup in Qatar. Due to previous postponements, action will kick off on February 1st.

ICYMI: Here’s how Tigres got to the final.

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