April 29 – A strike from outside the box by Ángel Correa has given Tigres UANL a crucial first-leg advantage in their Champions Cup semi-final clash against Nashville at Geodis Park.
Nashville now have a mountain to climb and the El Volcan crowd to quieten in the Second Leg next Tuesday at Estadio Universitario in San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico.
Tigres have made a pattern of dominating teams in the Champions Cup when they get them into their setting. Away from home they haven’t had the same success. The win over Nashville was a first victory away from home against an MLS side since 2020.
Nashville have been one of the star team of the Champions Cup up to this point. This is the first time they have made the semi-finals of the Champions Cup but as opposed to previous matches in the competition, against Tigres they couldn’t find the tactical control of the game that has been their hallmark.
Tigres started faster than Nashville who were on the back foot. Argentine Juan Brunetta had chances for Tigres in the 22nd and 30th minutes but to no avail.
With Nashville on the backfoot eventually Tigres broke through with Correa’s strike on 33 minutes.
Oziel Herrera almost doubled the lead seven minutes later while Patrick Yazbek had Nashville’s first real chance as half time neared.
After the break Tigres kept up their pressure with Juan Vigon the liveliest in their attack but with Nashville keeper Brian Schwake making eight saves over the match that second goal was to prove elusive.
With the match closing out so Tigres shut up shop, denying Nashville any meaningful opportunities to equalise.
Nashville will be hoping they will have leading goalscorer Sam Surridge back for the visit to Mexico. They now have to score at least twice to guarantee a place in the final against either LAFC or Toluca.
Champions Cup semi-final first leg. Nashville SC 0 Tigres UANL 1