CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati and Tigres UANL drew 1-1 in the first leg of their Round of 16 series as the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup continued Tuesday at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
The hosts found an early opener through Pavel Bucha in the 3’, who struck with a right-footed shot from the edge of the box to the bottom right corner. Kévin Denkey registered the assist on the play.
Nicolás Ibáñez equalized for Tigres in 17’, sending the ball to the back of the net with a header inside the penalty area to capitalize on a delivery from Sebastián Córdova.
Both sides generated attacking opportunities throughout the second half in search of the winner, but both goalkeepers stifled chances in attack. FC Cincinnati man Roman Celentano finished the match with three saves, while Nahuel Guzmán recorded five saves for Tigres UANL.
The two sides will meet in the second leg next Tuesday at Estadio Universitario in San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico.
Post-Match Data
Tigres are unbeaten in 15 consecutive matches against MLS opposition in the Concacaf Champions Cup (W8 D7). No other team in the modern era of the competition (since 2008) has gone more than eight straight matches against MLS opponents without defeat.
● Each of Pavel Bucha’s last five goals for FC Cincinnati were scored incontinental tournaments (three in the Concacaf Champions Cup and two in the Leagues Cup). Tonight’s goal was his first for Cincinnati against Mexican competition. His first four goals for the club were all scored in regular-season MLS play.
● Entering tonight, Nicolas Ibáñez hadn’t scored a goal for Tigres for 12 games in all competitions, while Sebastián Córdova hadn’t recorded an assist for 15 matches. The two players combined for Tigres’ goal against Cincinnati tonight.
● With his appearance tonight, Nahuel Guzmán is the first player to play in more than 40 matches in the Concacaf Champions Cup since 2016, with 41. His current coach, Guido Pizarro, is second on that list with 38 appearances.
● Pavel Bucha’s opening goal after 2 minutes, 34 seconds was the fastest goal scored by an MLS team against a Liga MX team in the Concacaf Champions Cup since Brek Shea scored after 2:02 for Vancouver Whitecaps, also against Tigres, in April 2017
