Victory and next feline duel. Los Tigres and Club León advance to the semifinals after defeating Santos and Puebla, respectively, in the quarterfinals of Mexican soccer.
It was enough a claw to eliminate Santos
The first leg was much more open and with more proposals. For the second leg, Miguel Herrera showed his experience playing leagues and his team was on top of the rival for almost the entire match with several dangerous arrivals, but both Santos’ defense and lack of aim prevented Tigres from opening the scoring in almost the entire encounter. The royal team had to tie the global scoreboard to be able to get a pass to the semifinal, however, everything seemed to indicate that Santos would be the one chosen to qualify for the next stage.
It was until the 81st minute when Nahuel sent a long pass that Luis Quiñones received and he sent a cross where there were several Tigres players, the ball was left to Carlos Salcedo, who sent a left-footed shot and nailed it into the goal of Carlos Acevedo and the volcano erupted with joy.
There were only a few minutes left and the team from the Comarca Lagunera failed to recover and was eliminated. “We tried at all times, Tigres played a good game. Perhaps we lacked more volume of the game, but I only have to congratulate the players for their disposition, their claw, they fought until the last minute. These defeats are very painful, but you learn a lot and we have to keep growing, “said Guillermo Almada, Santos technical director, at a press conference after the match ended.
“It’s a spectacular save from @ AcevedoCarlos9 please Tata already deserves a chance “, @SanOswaldo_TD
“Miguel Herrera is seen to be a guy who knows how to play Liguillas”, @ValMarinR???????? Live ???? TUDN pic.twitter.com/fhVlpJvDIF
– The Play (@LaJugadaTUDN) November 29, 2021
For his part, Miguel Herrera, Tigres technical director, said he was happy for the victory and for the work of the players. “Applaud the attitude, I loved the people, the people encouraged us and did not stop pushing us. I am grateful for everything that has happened, but we took one step, only two more are missing ”, he commented.
When asked if he agreed that of the 4 semifinalists, Tigres was the favorite, he replied: “I don’t have to say that. We know the hierarchy of the team and what it has done in these years, but that is up to the media and the people. We are going to go step by step, we are going to think about the next step, we cannot think about the final if we have not passed the semifinal. You have to live today ”.
Victoria Esmeralda
The Franja team came out convinced of being able to obtain victory, but León was clear from the beginning of the game the obligation to win and made it difficult for the defense and Antony Silva, Puebla goalkeeper, who stood out for his constant saves and concentration to defend his goal.
However, in a throw-in, a cross was placed for Víctor Dávila who brushed against it with his head, leaving Ángel Mena on his feet practically to push her to score the first goal of the beast. The Lion continued attacking the rival goal and, although the team from the Strip tried and had some arrivals that they failed to achieve.
In a León arrival there were a couple of centers that the Puebla defense tried to deflect and, in an attempt by Dávila to turn around, Israel Reyes reached in to deflect the ball and, after reviewing the play in the VAR, a penalty is determined in favor of the Lion. The person in charge of collecting it was Ángel Mena, who doubled in the victory over the Franja team and León got his pass to the semifinal.
????Zero and two go! ???? @clubleonfc return to throw the @ClubPueblaMXhttps://t.co/FFSFXI9VVE#Win or die I #TuApertura2021 I #Liguilla
– TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) November 29, 2021
“We made a mistake that ends up making the Lion grow and today we have to say goodbye. We have shown that with a lot of humility and a lot of work, with conviction and, obviously, with a great union that when one wants and works for something, things can be achieved. And we have been a great soccer team. For now we have to rest and then make a self-criticism and a balance of the team, ”said Nicolás Larcamón, Puebla’s technical director, at the end of the game.
Duel of beasts
Tigres and León will meet in the semifinal and Santiago Ormeño, León’s player at a press conference commented:
“I think it will be a very nice semifinal, very fought. Technically, both teams are very good and I think the key is going to be the determination and the heart that is put. They are not a very dynamic team, so if we focus on playing well obviously on playing well, but we put in, I think we can be victorious ”.
When asked about his unexpected starter in the game against Puebla, he confessed that he was surprised by the news. “This is how football is going around a lot, suddenly you play and suddenly you don’t, but you have to try to be prepared for when it’s your turn and fortunately yesterday the result was given. I would love to start against Tigres, but the only one who has the decision is the coach so I am ready for whatever it takes, “he said.
The semifinals of the MX League were defined as follows:
First leg matches:
Tigers vs. León —- Wednesday, December 1
Cougars vs. Atlas —– Thursday, December 2
Return matches:
Leon vs. Tigers —– Saturday, December 4
Atlas vs. Pumas —– Sunday, December 5
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