No tragedy for Cruz Azul, they win 2-1 against Tigres in Copa Mx

There was no tragedy. Yes, a lot of drama and a goal in the last moments, but this time it was not against Cruz Azul as usual. The "cruzazuleada" was left in the inkwell, La Máquina tested the other side of the coin and with a dramatic goal, they managed to defeat Tigres 2-1 and secure their spot in the Copa Mx round of 16.

A joy amidst many frustrations. Just as Cruz Azul has had its smile taken away countless times, this time they managed to recover it in the last moments. It tastes better this way, their undefeated streak which has now reached 14 games since the last tournament (10 in Liga and 4 in Copa), is well deserved.

It was not an easy game for Cruz Azul, who had to deal with injuries and the FIFA break (which took Enzo Roco away). They had to field an improvised defense of three defenders, with Jordan Silva as libero, supported by Adrián Aldrete on the left side and Omar Mendoza on the right. The wing-backs were the youth player Víctor Zúñiga and the return of the Chilean Martín Rodríguez. In midfield, Paco Jémez (absent from the bench due to suspension) sent out Faurlín, Baca, and Montaño; upfront, Christian Giménez and Martín Cauteruccio.

On the other hand, Tigres showed off the rich squad they have. Yes, they gave minutes to non-regular players like Enrique Palos, Alberto Acosta, Raúl Torres, Jair Díaz, and Juan Sánchez, but they were supported by Andre-Pierre Gignac, Ismael Sosa, Lucas Zelayarán, and Damián Álvarez. An alternate team that several clubs in the first division would envy.

The field conditions were not optimal; it rained all afternoon and night in the capital, which caused the playing field to be waterlogged in several areas, making it difficult for the ball to circulate and resulting in very rough challenges in the early minutes.

Despite this, Cruz Azul went for the game without many speculations. In the first minute, they had their first dangerous opportunity with a cross from Faurlín that Chaco Giménez headed just above Palos' goal. Moments later, Víctor Zúñiga made an individual play, passing it to Baca, who took a right-footed shot that Palos saved. In the 17th minute, Chaco attempted a long-range shot, a low drive that the Tigres goalkeeper sent to a corner kick.

Cruz Azul was better, more adapted to the playing field conditions; however, Tigres only needed one opportunity, no more. With the quality of their attacking players, they only needed a good collective play or a mistake. And the latter happened, when Luis Rodríguez sent a long pass from his own half to Gignac's position. Mendoza stopped his run appealing for offside and Jordan watched as the Frenchman passed him by easily, André had no problem and with a soft touch put the ball between Allison's legs to score 1-0.

The goal was a blow for La Máquina, who took some time to recover. It was just before the end of the first half that they went on the attack again; Adrián Aldrete warned with a free kick that Palos saved; on the next play, Jordan Silva received a perfectly placed cross, but his header lacked power to find the back of the net. Finally, Martín Rodríguez made an individual play on the left-hand side, reaching the box, but to his misfortune, his shot went wide of the Tigres' goal.

La Máquina's surge in the final minutes was not enough and they had to go to the dressing room with a disadvantage. In the second half, La Máquina came out with the same initiative, but Jémez had to make his first substitution due to Zúñiga's unfortunate injury, who was knocked out after colliding with one of the benches at the side of the field. Édgar Méndez took his place.

The Cruz Azul team came close again, with Rodríguez once more, who unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that forced an excellent save from Palos, who moments later had to leave the field also due to injury. La Máquina had little time left and Jémez used all his offensive arsenal, bringing in Felipe Mora for Montaño, as the Spanish coach played with two center-forwards in search of an equalizer.

But it was not easy. Cruz Azul struggled until they were awarded a penalty, as a result of Jair Díaz's handball, but Chaco wasted the opportunity, shooting to the left, where Miguel Ortega dived and made the save.

The game was coming to an end and Cruz Azul was heading towards tragedy, as has been common over the past three years, but Cauteruccio found himself with a ball in the box and, without rushing, placed his shot well to equalize for La Máquina in the 81st minute.

The game opened up, Tigres knew that this result condemned them to a miracle to stay alive in the cup tournament, but it was Cruz Azul who came closest with a huge error from Chaco, who missed his shot in front of the goal. The northerners had their chance through Damián, but his shot went wide.

When the game was in added time, Felipe Mora appeared with a header to seal the game and give La Máquina the ticket to the round of 16, eliminating Tigres in the process.

There was drama, a last-minute goal, but strangely enough, it was Cruz Azul who came out smiling. Sometimes, history stops being written as we know it.