Ganar, gustar, golear (win, love, score) is a popular phrase in Latin American soccer to define a perfect victory. This was the case for Club Tigres in last night’s Clásico Regio, as a double from André-Pierre Gignac and another from Diego Lainez saw them defeat CF Monterrey 3-0 to enter Wednesday's match against Los Angeles Football Club full of confidence as the two sides play for the Campeones Cup title.
The Nuevo León side came into Matchday nine of LIGA MX with two objectives: the first was not to lose track of the leaders, Atlético de San Luis and Club América. The second was to take revenge for a defeat suffered in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals, where Rayados had won on Sergio Canales' penalty.
Tigres would quickly take the lead with a spectacular header from Gignac. "El ser de Luz" took advantage of a spectacular cross from Sebastián Córdova and flew like a "dove" to put the ball into the back of the net.
Gignac, top scorer in the Clásico Regio
The score would then not change until the hour mark. The Frenchman would be decisive again, this time from the penalty spot, and with a powerful shot, he doubled the lead for Tigres, scoring his 12th goal in the Clásico Regio and the top scorer in the Derby’s history.
Lainez scores his first for Tigres
With 30' left on the scoreboard, there was still time for more excitement as Rayados hoped to pull a goal back, while "La U" wanted to settle the result. Within these two possible outcomes, Diego Lainez would score to seal the result. The former Real Betis and Sporting Braga player took advantage of a phenomenal run by Luis Quiñones on the right edge of the area. The Colombian launched a low cross across the area that fell directly at the feet of the Mexican international, who was close to the goal and did not hesitate to give Tigres their third goal, his first for the club.
Looking ahead to Campeones Cup
With the motivation of having won the Clásico Regio, Tigres are now ready to think about its next goal: the trophy at stake inCampeones Cup. The team led by Robert Siboldi will travel to Los Angeles to face LAFC on Wednesday, September 27.
The Nuevo León team was the first team to win Campeones Cup, when in 2018 they defeated Toronto FC 3-1 in the first edition of this match that pits the winners of the MLS Cup and the Campeón de Campeones against each other.
In addition, Tigres are the only Mexican team to have won this title and will seek to be the first two-time champion when the ball rolls on Wednesday at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
