SAN NICOLAS DE LOS GARZA, Mexico – Columbus Crew SC and Tigres UANL tied 1-1 in the second leg of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinals on Tuesday night at Estadio Universitario in San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The U.S. side advanced to the semifinals, 4-3 on penalties, after the clubs ended 2-2 on aggregate.
Andre-Pierre Gignac opened the scoring in the 3’ by pouncing on a complicated back pass from the Columbus defense, stripping goalkeeper Patrick Schulte to send the home crowd into a roar. The goal marked the 20th in CCC play for the historic Tigres UANL striker.
Juan Brunetta struck from outside the box in the 44’ but Schulte punched the ball out. Brunetta attempted another long-range attempt in the 45'+3 but Schulte was there for the save.
In the 49’, Gignac would try his luck from long distance but could not get the ball on frame as Tigres worked to extend its lead.
Needing only a goal to tie on aggregate, Columbus held its composure as it searched for the equalizer with Mohamed Farsi taking a shot from the edge of the box in the 53’.
Diego Rossi tied the encounter in the 59’ with a right-footed hit inside the box, putting the finishing touch on a counterattack that involved Farsi and Juan Camilo Hernandez on the build-up. Rossi also scored in the first leg, marking back-to-back goals against Tigres.
Gignac had a look inside the box in the 73’ but did not get the desired power on his hit as the ball rolled into the hands of Schulte.
Both teams remained deadlocked through full time to send the match into extra time. A penalty kick shootout was needed after neither side could take the lead during the additional 30-minute period.
Schulte blocked the likes of Gignac and Guido Pizarro to start the shootout. Maximilian Arfsten converted the winning kick to send the Crew to its first semifinals.
In the semifinals, Columbus Crew will face the winner of the series between Monterrey and Inter Miami, which will be decided on Wednesday at BBVA Stadium in Guadalupe, Nuevo León. Rayados won 2-1 in the first leg last week.
