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Jonathan Osorio had one of the worst misses you can imagine. He atoned for it with one of the sweetest finishes imaginable to lead Toronto FC to a 2-1 comeback win over Tigres UANL on Wednesday in Toronto. The second leg of Tigres vs. Toronto in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals will be Tuesday back in Mexico.
Tigres took a lead in the 52nd minute through Eduardo Vargas but the Reds nearly responded immediately, only for Osorio to sky his wide-open shot from six yards out. It was a shocking miss and one that could haunt a player for the rest of the match.
Qué falla!!! Los Tigres se salvaron @TorontoFC 0-1 @TigresOficial.
Sigue el partido en vivo https://t.co/ENVRZOPcmd pic.twitter.com/GDSmY2gpUm— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) March 8, 2018
But after an equalizer from Jozy Altidore, Osorio compensated for his miss in the 89th minute with a cheeky finish from just about the exact same spot as his initial attempt. It was a fitting game-winner for a thrilling match.
Yeah, you're gonna wanna watch this one again. And again, and again.
A moment of pure magic from @OsoJ92 seals the winner for the Reds.#TFCLive | #TORvTIG | #SCCL2018 pic.twitter.com/UKITbHHguM— Toronto FC (@torontofc) March 8, 2018
Tigres vs Toronto was set to be the key matchup in the Champions League this year, with the former having won the Liga MX 2017 Apertura title not long after the latter finished the best season in MLS history. Wednesday’s result gives Toronto a slight advantage heading to Mexico, but there’s still all to play for ahead of next week’s second leg with UANL picking up a crucial away goal.
Playing in Toronto, where the Canadian winter did not treat the pitch at BMO Field kindly, the match exploded in the second half when Vargas put the Mexican side up 1-0 in the 52nd minute.
Eduardo Vargas gives #Tigres the 1-0 lead away to #TFC. He got on the wrong side of Mavinga, and fired a great strike into the bottom corner. Killer away goal. #TFCLive #TORvTIG #CCL #SCCL2018 pic.twitter.com/3cidqwJGhh
— Jason Foster (@JogaBonito_USA) March 8, 2018
The goal immediately sparked the Reds into action on the other end. After Osorio’s stunning miss, Altidore used his body well to create the space needed to fire home the equalizer in the 60th minute.
The -touch pass from @MarkyDelgado
The -touch finish from @JozyAltidore#TFCLive | #TORvTIG | #SCCL2018 pic.twitter.com/QSEDOV95Nk— Toronto FC (@torontofc) March 8, 2018
Jozy Altidore celebrates his goal during Tigres vs. Toronto FC. Photo: @torontofc | Twitter
UANL nearly grabbed a late equalizer but for a fantastic sliding challenge from Chris Mavinga to keep Toronto in front.
Huge sliding challenge by Mavinga as Sosa broke in on goal in stopppage time. Mavinga was at fault on the Vargas goal, but he came up with the crucial play there. #TFC #TFCLive #TORvTIG #CCL #SCCL2018 pic.twitter.com/uChaiLou4J
— Jason Foster (@JogaBonito_USA) March 8, 2018
Toronto had a number of chances right in front of goal throughout the match. One of the best came when Michael Bradley maneuvered nicely down the right sideline before curling in a cross that skipped past a defender right to Altidore, who allowed the ball to bounce off his shin and roll harmlessly to the goalkeeper.
Absolutely brilliant play by Michael Bradley. Skillful touches around Aquino, and then a perfect ball bent around the #Tigres defense to find Altidore--who just hadn't expected it to get through. Fantastic by the #TFC captain. #TFCLive #TORvTIG #CCL #SCCL2018 #MLS pic.twitter.com/8Q5GeJaAxS
— Jason Foster (@JogaBonito_USA) March 8, 2018
Of course, the best chance the Reds failed to convert belonged to Osorio, but the 25-year-old Toronto native more than made up for it in the end.
The Reds still have a long way to go playing at Estadio Universitario, but the second leg of Tigres vs Toronto is perfectly poised for a memorable finished in the CONCACAF Champions League.
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