LAFC met the final boss on Tuesday night in the CONCACAF Champions League final: Tigres UANL, the best team in North America over the last decade with five Liga MX titles but one whose own journeys in the CCL had ended in final heartbreak in three of the last four years.
That streak is at an end thanks to the man who’s been synonymous with Tigres’ dynasty, André-Pierre Gignac. Monsieur Liguilla, following an influential run from Chaka Rodríguez, swept home the winner in the 84th minute to complete his side’s second half comeback.
¡Goooooooooool de @tigresoficial! ⚽
El de siempre, el goleador, el ídolo. ¡Gignac hace el gol que puede ser el título! @tigresoficial 2-1 @somoslafc#Tigres | #LAFC | #TuCONCACAF¡En vivo!
TUDN
Síguelo aquí TOTALMENTE LIBRE https://t.co/09isX8875a pic.twitter.com/ghL9aZnrVk— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) December 23, 2020
Gignac acaba de cumplir su promesa: “Por fin ganamos esta pinche Copa”
— MisterChip (Alexis) (@2010MisterChip) December 23, 2020
LAFC had taken the lead in the 61st minute after an opening goal of the highest order. After eliminating Leon, Cruz Azul and America in the knockout rounds, it looked like destiny for Bob Bradley’s men.
Carlos Vela, Mark-Anthony Kaye and Diego Rossi made it happen.
¡Goooooooooooool del LAFC! ⚽
Rossi le bombea a Nahuel y mete un golazo para el equipo de Carlos Vela. @tigresoficial 0-1 @somoslafc#Tigres | #LAFC | #TuCONCACAF¡En vivo!
TUDN
Síguelo aquí TOTALMENTE LIBRE https://t.co/09isX8875a pic.twitter.com/PmSDvUgS88— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) December 23, 2020
But Kaye couldn’t make a play at the other end just nine minutes later, allowing Hugo Ayala’s header to drift inside the far post.
¡Goooooooooool de los @tigresoficial! ⚽
Hugo Ayala remata en el área y empata la final. ¡Qué cierre de partido vamos a tener! @tigresoficial 1-1 @somoslafc#Tigres | #LAFC | #TuCONCACAF¡En vivo!
TUDN
Síguelo aquí TOTALMENTE LIBRE https://t.co/09isX8875a pic.twitter.com/GPUKob3JMV— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) December 23, 2020
That set the stage for Gignac’s winner and a place for Tigres at the FIFA Club World Cup. Bayern Munich awaits.
