Tigres UANL ended the club s wait for CONCACAF Champions League glory, claiming their first title at the expense of Los Angeles FC in the final.
CONCACAF Champions League silverware had eluded Tigres, who were runners-up in 2016, 2017 and 2019.
But Tigres finally got their hands on the Champions League trophy thanks to Tuesday s come-from-behind 2-1 victory over LAFC.
Diego Rossi s 61st-minute opener for LAFC was cancelled out by Hugo Ayala 11 minutes later before Andre-Pierre Gignac netted the winner with six minutes remaining as Tigres secured their place at February s Club World Cup in Qatar.
¡Gol de !
2-1 |
— Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (@TheChampions)
LAFC were bidding to make history at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, where Bob Bradley s side were looking to become the first MLS team to win the continental tournament in its current format – LA Galaxy claimed the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2000.
Rossi s goal just past the hour-mark had LAFC on track to snap Mexico s stranglehold on the Champions League, after the 2020 MLS Golden Boot winner found the back of the net with a lofted finish.
Liga MX giants Tigres, however, responded in the 72nd minute when centre-back Ayala sent a ball past LAFC goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer.
Tigres completed the comeback via former France international Gignac, who finished from outside the box to earn Golden Boot and MVP honours.
¡Festéjalo, ! ¡Se acabó la espera!¡CAMPEONES DE !
— Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (@TheChampions)
At last! It is deserved for the institution I always wanted to win the CONCACAF Champions League, Gignac said afterwards. Today it s Tigres turn.
It s for all the people back in Monterrey working in the offices. This is for the people in Monterrey.