Chivas take one on the chin ahead of ‘Super Clásico’

Tigres clinched a spot in the Liga MX playoffs with an emphatic 4-1 road win over Guadalajara.

The Chivas dominated the opening stages, forcing three fantastic saves by Nahuel Guzmán in the first 8 minutes of the match.

The visitors struggled to string together passes and didn’t even get a look at goal until the clock struck 20. Unfortunately for the Chivas, Tigres first shot ended up in the back of the net.

Guadalajara came into the game as the stingiest defense in Liga MX having conceded just 9 goals in 14 matches. Now Tigres hold that honor, having allowed but 11 goals in 15 matches.

Chivas unbeaten streak comes to ignominious end

Guadalajara entered the game on a seven-game unbeaten streak, but with the “Super Clásico” against league-leading América looming around the corner, Ricardo Cadena’s men could have been excused for looking past Tigres.

But that was not the case Tuesday night, until the visitors scored against the run of play.

Sebastián Córdova dribbled through midfield, got knocked down but scrambled back to his feet and regained possession. The midfielder side-footed a pass to Juan Pablo Vigón who ripped a shot from 25 meters that bounced over Miguel Jiménez’s outstretched hands though it looked like the goalie could have done more.

Ten minutes later, Vigón found the net again. And again, Córdova was involved. The former América star snuck behind the Chivas defense on the right flank, turned toward the box and sent a searching centering pass that was nodded out of the box by Luis Olivas. However, Guadalajara skipper Fernando Beltrán inadvertently bundled it back toward his own goal and Vigón pounced, slotting past Jiménez at the near post.

The Chivas were down 2-0 at the half despite enjoying hefty statistical advantages: 13 (5), 6 (4), 55% possession and 88% passing accuracy.

Guadalajara continued to press forward, but Tigres exhibited patience and just past the hour mark defender Samir Caetano scored his first Liga MX goal to make it 3-0 Tigres.

Florian Thauvin made it 4-0 in minute 87 and Angel Zaldívar responded for the home team a minute later.

Tigres goalie Guzmán was Man of the Match, coming up with seven huge saves.