GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Jose Torres scored his first goal for Tigres UANL in their 3-2 loss to Santos Laguna on Tuesday night in the Copa MX, with the Monterrey-based team’s place in the quarterfinals almost secure.
With Tigres already down 3-0, central midfielder Torres (above) struck a fierce left-footed shot from the edge of the area that flew into the far right hand corner four minutes before halftime.
The goal inspired Tigres to a dominant second-half display and were pressurizing for the equalizer after Alan Pulido had pulled them within a goal in the 72nd minute.
Jonathan Bornstein made a rare appearance for Tigres – his third in this edition of the Copa MX – but the game was already deep into second-half injury time when he came off the bench.
The two-time Mexican cup winners have to wait until Wednesday’s clash between Cruz Azul Hidalgo and Zacatepec to confirm their place in the knockout stages, with Cruz Azul Hidalgo needing to win by four goals to overtake them.
Also involved was U-20 World Cup veteran midfielder Benji Joya, who came on for Santos in the 88th after Osmar Mares suffered a horrific-looking injury.
Over at Monterrey, Alonso Hernandez provided an assist for Los Rayados in their 1-1 tie at Puebla as he continued his good form in the cup. The Texan picked out Bernardo Hernández with a low right wing cross for the equalizer in the 43rd and almost got the winner with two second-half efforts.
Monterrey already qualified for the quarterfinals before their last game of the group stage on Tuesday.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com
