Tigres takes down reigning Leagues Cup champion Inter Miami at NRG Stadium
(image via Omar Duran)
Houston was host to another big soccer match as Tigres from Liga MX took on MLS side Inter Miami in Leagues Cup play. Lionel Messi was unable to play for Miami because of injury but fans still packed the stands, mostly dressed in yellow, supporting the Mexican club. The fans in attendance were treated to a thrilling match decided by a late winner.
Argentine Juan Brunetta scored Tigres’ goal in stunning fashion in the first half. Nicolas Ibanez headed a ball back to Brunetta on the corner of the box. He took the ball out of the air and with one touch volleyed a shot up and over Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender to make the score 1-0 in the 18th minute.
Tigres took the 1-0 lead to halftime. The teams came out for the second half and traded possession back and forth. The game to came in the 69th minute when seven substitutes came on, four for Miami and three for Tigres. Stars Sergio Busquets and Andre-Pierre Gignac came on and the match sprug to life.
In the 72nd minute, Marcelo Weigandt sprung free on the right and played a ball across goal. Tigres captain Guido Pizarro pulled back Miami striker Leonardo Campana and referee Ismael Alexander Cornejo pointed to the spot for a penalty kick. Campana sent Tigres goalkeeper nahuel Guzman the wrong way and tied the game 1-1 in the 74th minute.
Penalty kicks loomed with the game tied. As the clock wound down it still felt like there was a deciding goal in this match. Sure enough, there was, thanks to a bad turnover by Miami.
A corner was sent back into the box by Tigres and substitute Sergii Kryvtsov tried to clear it away. His attempt instead landed at the feet of Juan Pablo Vigon. The Mexican took a touch and then smashed a shot off the crossbar and down over the goal line to put Tigres ahead 2-1 in the 84th minute.
Inter Miami, the reigning Leagues Cup champions drove forward for the final 15 minutes, with stoppage time, trying to get the equalizer but it wasn’t to be. With the win, Tigres win and will take on the runner up from East Group 6. Miami finished second in the group and will advance, to take on the winner from Group 6.
