Leon surprises top-seed Tijuana with emphatic first-leg Liguilla win

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:52 am

LEON, Mexico -- Club Leon thrashed Club Tijuana 3-0 on Wednesday in the first leg of the Liga MX Apertura quarterfinal.

Mauro Boselli headed in the opener in the 12th minute, with Fernando Navarro converting from close range six minutes later. German Cano added the third just after the hour mark.

Xolos -- managed by former Mexico coach Miguel Herrera -- went into the game as the top seed from the regular season, but Leon came out flying and could've been more than two goals up by half-time.

In front of a less-than-full Estadio Leon, La Fiera impressed, carrying over the confidence built up from 10 undefeated games since Argentine Javier Torrente -- a former assistant to Marcelo Bielsa -- took over as head coach.

Mauro Boselli is a great option at forward in ESPN Fantasy Soccer.
Mauro Boselli is a great option at forward in ESPN Fantasy Soccer.
AFP/Getty Images

Tijuana had no answer to Leon's incessant pressing and vertical football, giving the ball away regularly as if it was in shock.

Herrera changed things up tactically at half-time and put a more attacking formation out in order to get a goal back, but losing the final two games of the regular season probably didn't help Tijuana's confidence.

Herrera's side will now need to win Saturday's second leg 3-0 or by four clear goals if Leon scores at Estadio Caliente, with the away goal rule in place in the Liga MX playoffs.