Rey ties it late for Chivas against Cibao | OneFootball

SANTIAGO DE LOS CABALLEROS, Dominican Republic – CD Guadalajara salvaged a 1-1 draw against Cibao FC in the first leg of their Round One series in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup on Thursday at Estadio Cibao FC in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.

The home team was closing in on the club’s first win ever in the tournament, until Luis Gabriel Rey rose for the equalizer in the final seconds of the match.

As the Mexicans desperately searched for a spark, Chivas teenager Jonathan Padilla whipped in a dangerous cross and Rey knocked a clutch header off the post in the 90’+10 to secure an away draw.

The Liga MX side was trailing for nearly the entirety of the encounter after Cibao scored in the opening minute off a stunning long-distance strike from Juan Díaz. Coming in at 53 seconds, it marked the fastest goal in tournament history since Josef Martinez’s (Atlanta United) strike against Herediano in March 2019, which was scored in 48 seconds.

The Dominican side stayed strong defensively and even held CD Guadalajara without a shot in the first half, despite finishing the game with only 29.4% possession.

Chivas brought experienced players such as Alan Pulido and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez off the bench in the second half in search of an equalizer.

Despite not being able to get the victory, the draw marked the first time since 2009 that a Dominican team has scored points in a Concacaf Champions Cup match.

CD Guadalajara will host Cibao FC in the second leg of the tied series next Wednesday in Guadalajara, Mexico.