Cruz Azul hold off Tigres, win Leagues Cup title

A second-half penalty from Yoshimar Yotun and another goal from Jonathan Rodriguez two minutes later gave Cruz Azul a 2-1 win over Tigres UANL in the inaugural Leagues Cup final on Wednesday night.

The latest venture between Liga MX and MLS started with four clubs from each league but culminated with two of Mexico's preeminent clubs playing for the tournament's title at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.

- Marshall: How would a MLS-Liga MX merger look like? 

The win gives Cruz Azul manager Robert Siboldi his first trophy with the club after taking over for Pedro Caixinha earlier this month. It is the first international title for the Mexico City side since its 2014 CONCACAF Champions League win, who are still seeking their first domestic crown since 1997.

For Tigres, who have won five Liga MX titles under coach Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti this decade, the game continues a bad rash in international finals, having lost three CONCACAF Champions Leagues finals and a Copa Libertadores final since 2015.

Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

---

Both Tigres and Cruz Azul featured full-strength starting XIs but neither side could muster many offensive chances during a feisty first half that saw five yellow cards. 

Cruz Azul broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute after former Orlando City player Yotun converted a penalty attempt with a calm shot to the top left corner for the goal.

Two minutes later, Rodriguez slipped through Tigres' center-backs for an easy finish past goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman.

Tigres were able to pull one back in the 90th minute when Guido Pizarro headed in Rafael Carioca's cross from outside the box.

Guzman was then sent off during stoppage time after VAR confirmed bumping into Edgar Mendez when challenging for a ball.

Tigres defender and Mexico international Diego Reyes was taken to the hospital after the game after butting heads with Cruz Azul's Milton Caraglio when the two players went up for a challenge in the second half.