Tigres crushes LA Galaxy as MLS side extends nightmare in Mexico | OneFootball

Tigres UANL won 3-2 over LA Galaxy at Estadio Universitario to qualify for the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal. A five-goal extravaganza conveyed one message clearly and loudly: competing in Mexican soil remains a huge problem for the Los Angeles side. And it's nothing new.

The Mexican club's entry was the script the Galaxy has become all too accustomed to, especially when it ventures across the border. That's six road games against Liga MX clubs and six defeats now.

Tigres didn't dawdle

Tigres came onto the field as if they were completely conscious of what was on the line. Diego Lainez struck a spot cross just nine minutes into the game, and Nico Ibañez, too open to be left alone in the box, scored with the first goal.

There was hardly time to regroup before the second one arrived. A minute later, Fernando Gorriarán gained the ball in midfield, passed it to Rafael Carioca, who played it to Uriel Antuna with a low pass. The forward hit it first time to double the advantage.

An open first half, but with one side in control

Both sides had chances to change the score by the 33rd minute. Brunetta was stopped by John McCarthy, who kept the Galaxy from falling even farther behind. Nahuel Guzmán, on the other hand, used his feet to block Christian Ramirez from equalizing the game. The game was open, but Tigres were the ones that controlled the tempo.

Galaxy did get through at the 40th minute. Joaquim Henrique took advantage of a lapse in Mexican defense and played a ball in to Joseph Paintsil, who outran Guzmán and netted the goal. The forward's season's first goal was an individual effort, but one that kept his side in it as halftime drew near.

Tigres regains control and closes the door

If any thought of an American resurgence in the second half was on the horizon, it didn't stick. In the 57th minute, Lainez, again him, played in another impeccable cross, and Rômulo was unmarked to head in the third. The pass was crisp, but room the Brazilian had within the box was glaring. Again, the Galaxy defense was left to just watch.

Three minutes were left to play when Emiro Garcés replied with an equaliser for the visitors. The striker pounced on a loose ball after a corner kick, finding the net for his second of the season. Life had been brought back into the game, but that spark hadn't lasted long. Galaxy was only able to muster another late corner attempt before Tigres calmed down and wrapped up the win.

Stats which hurt, and won't stop

This is the sixth time LA Galaxy has been knocked out in the quarterfinals of the competition. To make matters worse, their away record in the Concacaf Champions Cup against Mexican teams remains winless: 0 win, 6 defeat, 0 draw.

The club has achieved 22 wins, 14 draws, and 12 losses in 48 matches played in the competition. They have achieved one win, two draws, and one loss.