Pumas fight back to draw with Tigres in thrilling CCL first leg

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:47 am

Eduardo Vargas celebrates after scoring a goal for Tigres against Pumas in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Eduardo Vargas celebrates after scoring a goal for Tigres against Pumas in the CONCACAF Champions League.
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Both Tigres and Pumas will likely feel slighted after playing out a thrilling 1-1 draw in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal match on Wednesday.

The Liga MX clubs saw countless chances go wanting in the first 45 minutes, until the visitors opened the scoring just before the break courtesy of a long-range Eduardo Vargas strike that left Alfredo Saldivar no chance.

It was more of the same in the second half, with Tigres looking like they might hold on for the three points as both teams ran end to end, creating chances but failing to score.

Pumas did find an equaliser in the 62nd minute when a favorable bounce sprung Nicolas Castillo into the penalty area and his chipped cross was headed in by Matias Britos after escaping the reach of Tigres goalkeeper Aaron Fernandez.

The two teams will meet again on March 1 in Mexico City with Pumas holding a slight edge thanks to an away goal in the first leg.